Alexis Smith, 25, winner of the Miss Kansas beauty contest on June 8, courageously called out her abuser, who was present in the audience during the event. Despite the emotional challenge, Smith triumphed at the competition held at Pratt Community College, securing her place to compete in Miss USA 2025.
After her victory, Smith took a strong stand on stage against abusive relationships, a cause deeply personal to her. “My vision as the next Miss Kansas is to eliminate unhealthy and abusive relationships,” she declared. Her revelation about the presence of her abuser in the audience underscored her emotional resilience. “Some of you saw me very emotional because my abuser is here today. But that’s not stopped me from representing as the next Miss Kansas because I, and my community, deserve healthy relationships,” Smith asserted.
The audience responded with overwhelming support, cheering and applauding her bravery. Smith, a full-time cardiothoracic ICU nurse, felt empowered by this support, further fueling her commitment to change.
Continuing her advocacy, Smith took to social media to reinforce her stance. “On the night of Miss Kansas, my journey took an unexpected turn when someone I have been healing from tried to disrupt my peace,” she wrote on Facebook. By choosing to voice her experience rather than remain silent, Smith emphasized, “I took back the power—not just for myself but for my dreams and everyone watching and listening.”
Her post resonated widely, drawing praise and support from her followers and further encouragement from the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence, which lauded her bravery and advocacy.
Smith revealed that her relationship, which began when she was just 14, was abusive up until 2018/19. Despite the lingering pain, these experiences have propelled her to advocate vigorously against domestic violence, aiming to make a significant impact both as Miss Kansas and beyond.
