Pageant Planet

Today’s podcast features none other than Paula Shugart, who is the beloved president of the Miss Universe organization, as every fan of the pageant knows. With more than 30 years of experience in the television industry, Paula Shugart has been a driving force in entertainment television production for domestic and international audiences.

As president of the Miss Universe Organization (MUO), and producer of the Miss Universe, Miss USA and Miss Teen USA pageants, Paula oversees all business transactions and is responsible for the production of the live, worldwide telecasts each year.

Paula’s father was an Admiral in the US Navy, and she says her childhood really helped to prepare her for her current role as the president of an international organization. She believes that her global travels left her with a deep appreciation and understanding of the world’s cultural diversity as well as its commonality.

But, as much as she loved being a “Navy Brat”, when it came time to attend college, Paula says that she just wanted to go someplace new…without a Navy base. She had grown tired of living in a coastal city like San Diego and just wanted to live in a location that was different and challenging.

She found that new and different place in the Midwest. Paula chose Ohio University, which consistently ranks as one of the top schools in the country for television communication. Paula graduated Summa Cum Laude in 1981, with a BS in Communications, focusing on journalism and production, which was absolutely the right career path for her.

In 1982, after finishing college, Paula packed her bags and headed from Ohio to the center of television production: Sunny California! After only five days in Los Angeles, she met Kevin Bright (who was the Executive Producer of the TV show “Friends”) and he gave Paula her first big break, and that meeting began her career in production. 

From 1982 to 2002 Paula was busy making quite a name for herself, and success seemed to come naturally to the Admiral’s personable daughter. She was based in Los Angeles and developed a specialty in live television production while working on some of the world’s largest productions: the “Academy Awards,” “American Music Awards,” “Golden Globes,” “International Rock Awards,” and “President Clinton’s 50th Birthday Celebration,” among many others.

She also served as a producer on the original talent competition, “Star Search” for seven years, as well as a multitude of other programs including the Lifetime Special “The Age of the Female Icon,” which garnered a Cable Ace Award nomination

Paula became so accomplished at handling the monumental task of producing major events that she got involved in the music industry. Paula was involved in producing two legendary artist’s television productions: Madonna on her “Blond Ambition Tour” and the Rolling Stones on their “Steel Wheels Tour.” 

And, if that wasn’t impressive enough, she even forayed into the world of daytime television as Supervising Producer for ABC’s talk show “Mike & Maty” and then went on to produce the pilot for the highly popular “Donny and Marie Show” for Columbia Television. 

Paula is an active member of the Director’s Guild of America and the Producers Guild of America and has served as a Commissioner to Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s Latin Media and Entertainment Commission.

She was also named a member of the Women's Leadership Board at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government. This was an especially relevant and important accolade for Paula, as her election was based on her professional accomplishments and demonstrated commitment to women and girls. 

To learn more about Paula Shugart her work with the Miss Universe organization and beyond, listen to this week’s episode. Special thank you to Julia Stone for doing the research on Paula.

This week’s featured spotlights are: 

• Pageant Search
• Best in Pageantry Awards
• Pageant Dresses