Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Add Upworthy to your Google News feed.
Google News Button

Winning Miss Universe requires more than just beauty—poise, intelligence, and the ability to think on your feet all play a role. That was especially true during the 1997 Miss Universe Pageant, when the final round came down to a single question. Miss USA, Brooke Lee, didn’t just answer it—she delivered a response so unexpected and funny that it won her the crown on the spot.'


Giphy


The moment happened during the top three round, where Miss Venezuela, Miss USA, and Miss Trinidad and Tobago had one last chance to impress the judges. The contestants were kept in a soundproof booth while their competitors answered, ensuring fairness. Then came the final question:

"If there were no rules in your life for one day and you could be outrageous, what would you do?"

Miss Venezuela answered first, saying she’d take a magical trip around the world, visiting places like Israel. It was a thoughtful answer, but nothing prepared the audience for what happened next.

When it was Miss USA’s turn, she didn’t hesitate for a second. With a playful gleam in her eye, she delivered the now-iconic response:

"I would eat everything in the world. You do not understand. I would eat everything twice."

The crowd erupted in laughter. The host couldn't contain his reaction, and the audience cheered wildly. At that moment, it became clear—Brooke Lee had just won Miss Universe, as per Women's Wear Daily.

Fans still love her legendary answer

More than two decades later, people still celebrate Lee’s perfect mix of wit, confidence, and authenticity. The official Miss Universe YouTube video of the moment has a flood of comments praising her.

@starlight0513 wrote, "It wasn't even just Brooke Lee's answer, it was her attentiveness to the question, her look at the audience, her sparkle in her eyes, the delivery—it was all so natural! And then there was her answer! She rocked!"

Another fan, @Phil-mu5ur, pointed out her kindness during the competition:

"How Miss USA assisted Miss Trinidad and Tobago, held her hand, guided her in the booth, and fixed her gown... That says a lot about her. She is an authentic and kind spirit."


- YouTubewww.youtube.com



Her humor sealed the deal

The reason her answer worked so well? It was completely genuine.

@octagontowers4267 commented, "Damn! That answer from the US contestant gave her the crown. She didn't think for a second; it was so sincere, not thought out—just pure gut honesty, and anyone can relate to that answer."

Even years later, her win still resonates with fans. @Ronnie06spartan shared a personal memory:

"1997's pageant is very nostalgic to me. As a kid, we had it recorded on VHS, and it took place in my hometown of Miami, which is awesome. Lots of memories."



A Miss Universe moment to remember

While pageants often reward polished, rehearsed answers, Brooke Lee’s off-the-cuff humor set her apart. In a competition where contestants strive to be perfect, she proved that sometimes, being real is what truly makes you stand out.

Her unforgettable answer is still one of the best in Miss Universe history—and a reminder that sometimes, a little humor can take you all the way to the crown.

This article originally appeared earlier this year.

More For You

Widow keeps entire inheritance while stepdaughter faces eviction. She just got a reality check.
Representative Cover Image Source: Pexels | Mikhail Nilov; Reddit | u/Spiritual_Alps3413

Widow keeps entire inheritance while stepdaughter faces eviction. She just got a reality check.

Inheritance disputes often lead to heated debates, especially when a family is divided. One woman recently sparked outrage after revealing that she inherited her late husband’s entire estate—nearly a million dollars—without leaving anything for his 16-year-old daughter from a previous relationship.

Posting on Reddit as u/Spiritual_Alps3413, the widow asked if she was wrong for keeping everything while her stepdaughter and her mother struggled to survive.

Keep ReadingShow less
Man cancels wedding after fiancée refuses to include his daughter
Representative Cover Image Source: Pexels | TranStudios Photography & Video; Reddit | u/whoevenisthat5

Man cancels wedding after fiancée refuses to include his daughter

A wedding is supposed to be a celebration of love and family, but for one man, it became the breaking point in his relationship. Reddit user u/whoevenisthat5 shared how he was forced to call off his engagement after his fiancée refused to include his 11-year-old daughter in their wedding.

At first, he thought it was just a disagreement over wedding roles—but when he found out her real reason for wanting to leave his daughter out, he realized there was no future for them.

Keep ReadingShow less
9-year-old with autism stuns the world with an IQ higher than Einstein
Cover Image Source: Instagram/Adhara Maite Pérez Sánchez

9-year-old with autism stuns the world with an IQ higher than Einstein

At just 9 years old, Adhara Pérez Sánchez has achieved what most people can’t even imagine. The Mexico City native has an IQ of 162—higher than Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking, who were both estimated to have IQs of 160, according to PEOPLE.

Despite facing relentless bullying due to her autism diagnosis, Pérez has not only graduated high school but is also pursuing two college degrees in systems engineering and mathematics.

Keep ReadingShow less
kimberly dowdell, reunion, down syndrome

Brothers Blake and Jack have an emotional reunion.

thekimberlydowdell/Instagram

Teen with Down syndrome travels hundreds of miles for incredible reunion with brother

Going off to college is the break-free moment that most young adults long for. While the newfound freedom is an amazing change, it is also a time of transition--which can bring a lot of uncomfortable feelings with the adjustment. It can be overwhelming, scary, and unfamiliar. So when mom Kimberly DowDell (@thekimberlydowdell) received a message from her son Blake that he was feeling anxious and overwhelmed during his second semester at college, she knew exactly what to do. She loaded up the family, including her husband and Blake's brother Jack (who has Down syndrome), and got on the road to go see him. And the brothers had an emotional reunion that was shared on social media.

"Blake is in his second semester of college, and being away from home can be hard. When he told us he was feeling anxious and overwhelmed, we didn’t even think twice—we jumped in the car and drove 286 miles just to be there for him," she wrote in the post's Instagram caption. "To remind him he’s not alone. To give him words of encouragement. To wrap him in a hug that says, we see you, we love you, and we’re always here for you."

Keep ReadingShow less
Teacher unleashes glorious payback against school after forced to pay for class trip himself
Representative image by Canva

Teacher unleashes glorious payback against school after forced to pay for class trip himself

School excursions often provide unforgettable experiences and bonding opportunities for students, but for teachers, they can be loaded with logistical headaches. So when a teacher was asked to single-handedly finance a field trip—with zero compensation—Reddit user u/Unfunded_Teacher took to the platform to vent about this bizarre demand.

Representative photo by Pexels | Anny Patterson

Keep ReadingShow less