Newly crowned Miss Kansas, Alexis Smith promised to “eliminate unhealthy and abusive” relationships as the new “brand ambassador” of the title.
Alexis confronted her abuser who was in the audience, as she was selected to represent the Sunflower State at next year’s Miss America pageant.
“My vision as the next Miss Kansas is to eliminate unhealthy and abusive relationships,” Smith said on stage, which was shared to her X account.“Some of you out in this audience saw me very emotional because my abuser is here today.”
“But that’s not going to stop me from being on this Miss Kansas stage and from representing as the next Miss Kansas because I, and my community, deserve healthy relationships.”
The crowd applauded and praised Alexis Smith for publicly calling out the abuser.
Smith is a full-time cardiothoracic ICU nurse, who further shed light on her speech after winning the title.
Smith later wrote in a Facebook post, “On the night of Miss Kansas, my journey took an unexpected turn when someone I have been healing from tried to disrupt my peace.”
“Instead of falling into silence, I chose to live out my vision for a better world. I took back the power — not just for myself, but for my dreams and everyone watching and listening.”
She clarified that the call-out wasn’t about “shunning others” but was intended as an example for others to “turn pain into purpose and channel it in a way that unifies and uplifts.”
Smith’s bravery also earned praise from hundreds across social media.
“Thank you so much for speaking your truth!!!! You are inspiring and I hope my daughter can meet you and learn to stand in her power like you are doing,” one Facebook user commented.
“I could not love this anymore. You ARE an inspiration Miss Alexis Smith & Thank You for standing strong & true to yourself,” wrote another user.
Smith also received commendation from the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence, which praised her “bravery and advocacy” as “truly inspiring.”
Alexis is a Wichita native, representing Butler County in the pageant, revealed that “every single woman” in her family has been “impacted by domestic violence.”
“At the age of 14, I got into my first relationship, but it was also an abusive relationship that I was in until about 2018, 2019,” Smith told KSNW. “It’s something that I’m still experiencing and dealing with today.”
Miss Kansas said that she used the platform “which truly focuses on empowering women”, to share her struggles and be an ‘advocate’ for others.
“And me, being a woman who needed that empowerment all my life, being a bystander to domestic violence, a victim, a survivor, and now an advocate as well as a young woman who is educationally driven, I have the opportunity not only to share my story on such a large scale but also go back to school.”
Smith won over 26 others to secure a spot at next year’s Miss America pageant, scheduled in January. According to KSNW, her platform is based on “Respect Reclaimed: Advocating for Healthy Relationships.”
Alexis confronted her abuser who was in the audience, as she was selected to represent the Sunflower State at next year’s Miss America pageant.
“My vision as the next Miss Kansas is to eliminate unhealthy and abusive relationships,” Smith said on stage, which was shared to her X account.“Some of you out in this audience saw me very emotional because my abuser is here today.”
“But that’s not going to stop me from being on this Miss Kansas stage and from representing as the next Miss Kansas because I, and my community, deserve healthy relationships.”
The crowd applauded and praised Alexis Smith for publicly calling out the abuser.
Smith is a full-time cardiothoracic ICU nurse, who further shed light on her speech after winning the title.
Smith later wrote in a Facebook post, “On the night of Miss Kansas, my journey took an unexpected turn when someone I have been healing from tried to disrupt my peace.”
“Instead of falling into silence, I chose to live out my vision for a better world. I took back the power — not just for myself, but for my dreams and everyone watching and listening.”
She clarified that the call-out wasn’t about “shunning others” but was intended as an example for others to “turn pain into purpose and channel it in a way that unifies and uplifts.”
Smith’s bravery also earned praise from hundreds across social media.
“Thank you so much for speaking your truth!!!! You are inspiring and I hope my daughter can meet you and learn to stand in her power like you are doing,” one Facebook user commented.
“I could not love this anymore. You ARE an inspiration Miss Alexis Smith & Thank You for standing strong & true to yourself,” wrote another user.
Smith also received commendation from the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence, which praised her “bravery and advocacy” as “truly inspiring.”
Alexis is a Wichita native, representing Butler County in the pageant, revealed that “every single woman” in her family has been “impacted by domestic violence.”
“At the age of 14, I got into my first relationship, but it was also an abusive relationship that I was in until about 2018, 2019,” Smith told KSNW. “It’s something that I’m still experiencing and dealing with today.”
Miss Kansas said that she used the platform “which truly focuses on empowering women”, to share her struggles and be an ‘advocate’ for others.
“And me, being a woman who needed that empowerment all my life, being a bystander to domestic violence, a victim, a survivor, and now an advocate as well as a young woman who is educationally driven, I have the opportunity not only to share my story on such a large scale but also go back to school.”
Smith won over 26 others to secure a spot at next year’s Miss America pageant, scheduled in January. According to KSNW, her platform is based on “Respect Reclaimed: Advocating for Healthy Relationships.”
