Juliette Powell, Former 'Electric Circus' Host and Miss Canada, Dies at 54

Juliette Powell's death at the age of 54 has come as a surprise. The former Miss Canada and acclaimed broadcaster suffered from health complications that led to her death.

Juliette Powell, a pioneering media personality and the first Black woman to hold the title of Miss Canada, passed away on June 3, 2025, in New York City. She was 54. Her death was attributed to complications from acute bacterial meningitis.

Born in Manhattan on June 22, 1970, Powell moved to Montreal at the age of eight. Motivated by a desire to challenge racial bias, she entered beauty pageants during her youth, culminating in her historic 1989 Miss Canada win. She then represented Canada on the Miss Universe stage.

Powell's media career began in 1992 as a video jockey for Quebec's MusiquePlus while she pursued studies in finance and business at McGill College. In 1996, she relocated to Toronto and became a popular host on MuchMusic, anchoring the hit dance show "Electric Circus" and the music program "French Kiss," all while completing an economics degree at the University of Toronto.

By 1999, Powell shifted to business journalism, joining CablePulse24 (later CP24) as a business reporter. She later founded Powell International Entertainment Inc., which evolved into Kleiner Powell International. Her company produced high-profile media content featuring figures such as Nelson Mandela, Steven Spielberg, Richard Branson, and Janet Jackson.

Powell also made significant contributions to global discourse on media and ethics. She co-authored the media section of the United Nations' 2001 World Conference against Racism and later advised institutions including the UN, World Bank, and World Economic Forum.

Academically distinguished, Powell earned a bachelor's degree in sociology from Columbia University, graduating summa cum laude and being inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. Her senior thesis examined the self-regulation of artificial intelligence.

In 2021, she joined NYU’s Interactive Telecommunications Program as a faculty member, teaching courses at the intersection of media, technology, and ethics.

In addition to her broadcasting and academic achievements, Powell was an accomplished author. Her 2009 book, "33 Million People in the Room," explored the growing influence of social media on business. In 2023, she co-authored "The AI Dilemma: 7 Principles for Responsible Technology," contributing to the global conversation on ethical AI development.