The newly crowned Miss Kansas has been hailed as a hero after using her acceptance speech as winner to denounce her abuser while he was sitting in the audience at the competition.
Intensive care nurse Alexis Smith triumphed over 26 rivals to win a spot in January’s Miss America pageant on a platform of “regained respect.”
And she proved that these were not empty words when she electrified the stage with a harsh criticism of the man who tried to steal her victory.
“My vision as the next Miss Kansas is to eliminate unhealthy and abusive relationships,” she began.
‘In fact, some of you in this audience saw me very emotional because my abuser is here today.
“But that won’t stop me from standing on this Miss Kansas stage and representing the next Miss Kansas.
“Because I and my community deserve healthy relationships.”
Alexis Smith electrified the audience when she called out the abuser sitting among them during her acceptance speech after being crowned Miss Kansas 2024.
Wichita cardiothoracic ICU nurse hailed as a hero
The crowd erupted into a standing ovation and the Wichita health care worker found herself at the center of a tornado since footage of last month’s event went viral, with hundreds of people praising her for her bravery.
“Way to go girl,” wrote one. “You make me proud of my home state.”
“This affects Kansas in a much deeper way than you can ever imagine!” wrote another.
While another cited the good witch who helps Dorothy return to Kansas from The Wizard of Oz.
“You had the power all along, my dear,” she wrote.
Smith later told KSN News that “every single woman in my family has been affected by domestic violence.”
‘At 14 I had my first relationship, but it was also an abusive relationship that I was in until about 2018, 2019.
“It’s something I’m still experiencing and dealing with today.”
And five years later her heart sank when she discovered her abuser had come to Pratt Community College to watch the finals of the competition.
“On the night of Miss Kansas, my trip took an unexpected turn when someone I was recovering from tried to disturb my peace,” she explained on her Facebook page.
‘Instead of falling into silence, I chose to live my vision of a better world.
‘I took back power, not just for myself, but for my dreams and for everyone who watched and listened to me.
“It’s not about rejecting others; it’s about turning our pain into purpose and channeling it in a way that unifies and uplifts.”
She won with the platform ‘Respect Regained: Advocating for Healthy Relationships’
And she’s finding support among other beauty queens ahead of the Miss America finals.
And her challenge received praise from organizations that support victims of domestic violence across the country.
“We are deeply grateful for her courage in using her platform to stand up for victims and survivors of domestic violence, ensuring that everyone can experience safe and healthy relationships,” the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence wrote.
Her courage and grace, especially in sharing her personal story and standing strong despite the challenges, inspire us all.
‘We commend her vision with ‘Respect Restored: Advocating for Healthy Relationships’ and look forward to the positive impact she will continue to have.’
