Alexis Smith was crowned Miss Kansas last month, and a video of her onstage interview in which she spoke about domestic violence went viral last week.
Smith won the Miss Kansas pageant on June 8, and she and her organization posted the moment she revealed her alleged abuser was in the audience across multiple platforms. During an interview for the pageant, Smith was just asked how she would use her role as a brand ambassador if she won.
Smith said her vision was to “end” unhealthy and abusive relationships.
“The fact is, some of you in this audience will have seen that I am very emotional because my abuser is here today,” Smith responded, “but that is not going to stop me from being crowned Miss Kansas and representing myself as the next Miss Kansas because I and my community deserve to have healthy relationships.”
Smith did not identify the abuser in his response or in subsequent posts.
The video has been circulating on TikTok, X and Instagram in recent days, both on Smith’s official page and on Miss Kansas’ social media platforms. Commenters across the social media platforms expressed their gratitude for Smith’s decision to speak out about such a difficult issue.
“You stood up for all women. Thank you,” one person wrote on Instagram. “I’m sorry for what you went through and thank you for speaking up.”
“As a survivor, this touches me. Thank you for speaking out. You have empowered so many people you will never meet,” another user wrote on TikTok.
Smith wrote on Instagram that her reason for speaking out was to use her platform to live out her vision of a better world.
“I have taken my power back — not just for myself, but for my dreams and for all those watching and listening,” Smith wrote. “This is not about avoiding others. This is about transforming our pain into purpose and channeling it in a unifying and uplifting way.”
Smith said: NBC News affiliate KSNTV Smith revealed Thursday that her experience with abusive relationships began at a young age, and she said she has been a bystander, victim and survivor of domestic violence.
“My family, all the women in my family have been affected by domestic violence,” Smith said.
Smith has now shifted to an advocate role, calling her role as Miss Kansas “restoring respect,” and told the news station she is “incredibly excited” to be able to share her story with young men and women.
