Juliette Powell, a prominent figure in Toronto's cultural scene as an early MuchMusic VJ and host of Electric Circus, passed away at the age of 54. Her obituary revealed that she unexpectedly succumbed to acute bacterial meningitis on June 3, 2025, in New York.

Originally from Manhattan, New York, Powell relocated to Montreal with her mother at the age of eight. In 1989, she made history by becoming the first Black Canadian to win the title of Miss Canada and later represented the country at the Miss Universe pageant.

According to her obituary, Powell's decision to participate in the Miss Canada competition was fueled by her desire to challenge racial biases prevalent in beauty pageants. In 1992, she kickstarted her media career as a VJ at MusiquePlus before transitioning to MuchMusic in Toronto four years later. There, she not only hosted the iconic Electric Circus but also French Kiss, all while pursuing a degree in economics at the University of Toronto.

Following her move to New York, Powell's career took a diverse and exciting trajectory. She established Powell International Entertainment Inc., where she collaborated with influential figures like Nelson Mandela and Steven Spielberg. Additionally, she co-authored a section of the UN Plan of Action at the World Conference against Racism, authored books, delivered a TEDx talk, taught media, tech, and ethics at NYU, and founded a consultancy in New York City focusing on responsible technology and business strategy.

Throughout her journey, Powell continued her education and earned a BA in Sociology from Columbia University. In her application to Columbia, she emphasized her identity as a global citizen, transcending boundaries of race, nationality, and religion.

Juliette Powell is remembered fondly by a wide circle of friends, colleagues, and collaborators who are deeply saddened by her passing, along with her cherished dog, Tyra Banks.