PAULA SHUGART
PRESIDENT, MISS UNIVERSE ORGANIZATION
by Rafael Robert Delfin
RRD: Okay, another topic - leadership. Now you're the leader of the world's largest
and most prestigious pageant organization. What do you think are the attributes of a good
leader?
PS: First and foremost, the ability to take in the big picture. This was actually a big transition for me because I was so involved with production. I had to step back and say, "Wait a minute!" There are twenty six people in this organization and they all have different roles. A good leader should also be a good listener - having people feel that they have the ability to come talk to you about anything - what's bothering them, or what would make their lives easier, or how they can improve. Usually, when you feel that you have brought in experts around you, you should be able to listen to what they have to say and not feel threatened.
RRD: So your leadership is a two-way street?
PS: Absolutely!
RRD: It's funny because I was watching for the umpteenth time, "Working Girl",
with Sigourney Weaver. I love Sigourney Weaver! In the movie, she's a bitch -
being in total control of herself. You're not a bitch, are you?
PS: Oh, God! I hope not!
RRD: But even if you were, it would be in a positive sense? Being in control.
PS: I feel like I am in control. Right now, probably it's the craziest time that
I've ever experienced because of the sale going on. I am in control, but this is
sort of a group effort. I am more of the focal point of a larger group effort.
RRD: Since becoming the president of MUO, what two or three accomplishments
have given you the most satisfaction?
PS: I would say first and foremost returning to Puerto Rico because that's something that we hadn't done before. I was really, really proud of that show and getting the network support since last year. As you know, we've been trying to define our shows and trying to define who we are this year. CBS came on board for the last show and said, "Okay, you don't have to have four musical performances. You can have just two and go back to focusing on the girls." And I think having it swing back to being about the delegates is probably the most important.
RRD: I tend to agree! I kept watching the show over and over again and uhmmm….
This is great! The girls! And the gowns, the swimsuit competition, the selection
of music and the performance. It was incredible!
PS: It was a good show! I felt Marc Anthony was wonderful and those two moments with him were great, but I don't think he needed more performances. We were back to it, and it was nice. Plus it was nice that they also agreed to give us Wednesday night, so it
really worked well for us in the ratings, too. I was really happy. I thought we had a good relationship with the network this year.
RRD: There was an ad in Vanity Fair, "Beauty beats the Beast", that boasted about
the good ratings.
PS: Oh, yeah! Somebody else put that in there! (Laughter) And that's been
seen in a lot of different places. The Vanity Fair ad I saw much later, but it
hit the New York papers first. Donald was very happy!
RRD: Do you think women make better leaders than men?
PS: Not better, no. It's nice that women are finally being given the chance to be in leadership roles. Since the company started fifty years ago, the role of Miss Universe and our titleholders have changed. It's a lot different now where women are in positions that they didn't hold twenty years ago, but I don't think it's necessarily better. Probably some qualities that women have are better, but I think it goes both ways. There are good and bad leaders of both sexes.
RRD: Fair enough. Do you see yourself running for a political office someday?
PS: Not now at this time of my life. Because I love history so much and government, and being a government baby, I really actually thought I would. I have a cousin that works for a Senator and she has now for years, but I wouldn't now because you really have to put your whole life out there.
RRD: Topic - pageants. Why are pageants still relevant in today's society?
PS: I think it's kinda twofold. First of all, people love beautiful women and I don't think there's anything wrong with that!
RRD: I agree!
PS: And I think that has gone on for millenniums, since the beginning of time.
RRD: Aphrodite!
PS: Yes - who was born in Cyprus! The fact that there are so many women in leadership roles now. A lot of the women that are involved in pageants - it's pretty amazing how self-assured they are, most especially when we go to the teen pageant next week. My first introduction to pageants was when I was sixteen years old in San Diego. I worked in theater and was asked to run spotlight for the Miss Coronado pageant. I was incredibly shy at the time and I remember watching these girls and thinking, "Wow, she's only seventeen and she can get up in front of all these people and speak and be so self-assured!" It's one of the reasons why we offer a conduit so that somebody can obtain not just their dreams but their goals. So I think it is relevant, and something that we're proud of here.
RRD: I don't know if you've read the August edition of W magazine.
PS: Yes!
RRD: Robert Haskell, the eye editor, wrote a very interesting article about his
experience as preliminary judge. In fact, I did comment in my website about what
he said - that Miss Universe is pretending to have a cultural significance
but it doesn't. Do you agree? In other words, how important is Miss Universe
or pageants in general to the world?
PS: Well, define important. In the light of everything else that is going on in the world
right now, I think it's important to show delegates from all around the globe celebrating
their differences. The fact that there's an article written about us means that we do have
some cultural value - that people want to talk about pageants whether it's derogatory
or not. I do find it very interesting that in the fashion world, sometimes you can have an elitist attitude. I don't think the article really hurt us. He [Haskell] came to write a particular story and I think that was what he was looking for when he came, although that's not what he said he was looking for.
RRD: Well, I plan to write to him. (Laughs) and I'll send you a copy of the
letter.
PS: Also let him know that Oxana's gown is Gucci! Not a knock-off!
RRD: You said in the article that beauty queens don't scowl. They never scowl.
PS: That was a little bit of a paraphrase. We had three people from the fashion industry - overall, it was a wonderful experience. I love all the things that didn't get picked up! Like the fact that two of our former Miss Universes are still UN goodwill ambassadors - that kind of thing that I was trying to explain. Once a girl is crowned and moves to New York, her life is changed forever. It's not like a life of a model. Models walk the runway - that is their job - and they're supposed to have more of a vacant expression because they're not selling themselves. So these women [beauty queens] are gonna be smiling, they're gonna be trying to connect with you as a judge - not with a fake smile but trying to get to the eyes, get to the personality.
RRD: A lot of people prefer to see beautiful, smiling woman.
PS: That's what I was trying to impart to them [the fashion world]: "For those of you in the fashion industry who go to a lot of fashion shows, you're gonna be used to women having that frown." - which is I think what I said. I don't use the word scowl.
RRD: A cold look.
PS: Their [the models] goal is not to connect - these women are doing exactly the opposite. So I don't want you [the fashion world] to fault them for that because that's their job. They're not out there to sell fashion… they're there to sell themselves…but that was what that quote was about. I never said scowl. You know, they tend to change the words.
RRD: I know what you mean. Now, is there anything you'd like to say to Miss Universe
pageant fans?
PS: I hope people are happy with the direction that we're coming back to. It's going to
be very interesting with NBC right now - they're going to be very supportive.
RRD: So we're looking for bigger numbers next year?
PS: I'm always looking for bigger numbers. (Laughs)
RRD: I'll tell all my friends to watch next year!
PS: I'm really excited about the Panama show.
RRD: Are they pretty much ready?
PS: They're very organized. Very, very organized. And the fact that it's their Centennial, I think it's going to be nice. I happened to be reading a book a year ago about Panama and this opportunity came up. And the fact that we're going to Panama doesn't have anything to do with Miss Panama as first runner-up. The results were based on fair voting - and I just want to make sure that everyone's clear on that. Tony Santomauro (VP of Business Planning) and I were sitting next to each other during the show, and when Justine (Miss Panama) made it to the Top 2, we just looked at each other, like "No one's going to believe this!"
RRD: Who were your favorites by the way?
PS: I never say! I had a lot of favorites, actually. I never boil it down to just one, because if I do even make a guess, I'm always wrong so I don't want to jinx anybody. Again, it's one of those things that happens for a good reason. So I don't try. I leave it up to the experts.
RRD: Okay, let's play a game called word association…
PS: I thought we already did the words!
RRD: Nope! This one is very simple. Describe each person, thing, or
event just using one adjective - whatever comes to your mind. Oxana Fedorova…
PS: Beautiful.
RRD: Donald Trump…
PS: Powerful.
RRD: September 11, 2001…
PS: Reflective.
RRD: New York City…
PS: (Puzzled) How do you use one word for New York?
RRD: (Laughs) Cat got your tongue?
PS: I'd say - energy!
RRD: Your in-laws…
PS: They're the best thing… uhhh, one word… understanding! I married their son and I spend all my time three thousand miles away! (Laughs)
RRD: Carlos Fernandez…
PS: Oh! Oh! Organized… organizes my life! Carlos… importante!
RRD: And lastly, Mr. Shugart…
PS: Actually, he's Mr. Allison. It's a bone of contention. I didn't change my name. Actually he doesn't mind.
RRD: Mr. Allison! The first husband.
PS: Yes. I think keeping my name is sort of a connection with my parents… and my initials are P-M-S. How do you get rid of that?
RRD: (Laughs) Oh, my God! That's funny!
PS: Explains a lot, doesn't it? Um, one word for my husband….wonderful! Soul mate!
RRD: Would you like to have children?
PS: Uhhh…. We've talked about it, but we really need to be in the same city. (Giggles) If I had a kid now, I'd have a lot of explaining to do! We'd like to, but possibly down the road we'd like to adopt.
RRD: I'm a big proponent of adoption because there are so many homeless kids.
PS: There are so many. I have a friend who adopted two children from Russia and another who adopted a child from China. And I think that there are so many kids that need love.
RRD: Where do you see yourself five years from now?
PS: I never answer that question. I remember going to an interview in 1983 - one of my earliest production jobs. And the producer asked me that question, "You know it's really hard to tell. I'll probably see myself doing something in entertainment," which I was. And he said, "You know? You're right. No matter how you answer that question, you'll never be where you think."
RRD: Are you superstitious, perhaps?
PS: Not superstitious, it's just that I believe great things have presented themselves and I have faith that great things will present themselves and I never said, "Okay, that's where I'm gonna be!" because I think it's part of the adventure. I remember getting a phone call… I had just produced the "Donny and Marie" pilot for their talk show. I had just gotten off the phone with Columbia and it looked like they were gonna probably go with another producer who was working on another show with them… and I said to myself, "Oh, I really thought I was gonna do the show… but that's okay. Another door is opening. Perfect opportunity." Within two hours, I got a phone call from Al Masini who's created "Star Search." I used to do "Star Search. Al asked, "Can you come to Hawaii?" We really want you to come." I said, "Sure." It was three months in the Hilton Hawaiian Village and it was the best job of my life! It was also what led to my being hired at Miss Universe.
RRD: It's like - there's a reason for everything.
PS: Oh, absolutely! I really live by that. Even when things seem like they are at their worst, you can be happy as long as you realize that you're not alone. That's my philosophy in life. So long as you believe it will be okay, it will.
RRD: Last question. Is there something else about yourself that you haven't already told the press?
PS: (Pensive) What have you heard? (Laughs) No, not really. I can't, uhhh…
RRD: So you're just an ordinary girl?
PS: Pretty much.
RRD: Your life is straight, you're clean, you don't have any sins.
PS: I didn't say that! (Laughter) Uhh… yes, my life straight… No skeletons popping out of my closet. (Laughs)
RRD: Not yet!
PS: I'm sure the occasional sins in my youth.
RRD: I have to say that you look very, very young for your age.
PS: Well, I don't think you should publish my age. (Laughs)
RRD: Well, I can edit the interview if you want. But you do look very young.
PS: Why, thank you.
RRD: At least fifteen years younger.
PS: Wow! Thank you! I really appreciate that! Wow, that makes me… well, thank you for coming in!
End of interview.
OCTOBER 2002
