Image: missamericaks on Instagram
Miss Kansas Alexis Smith has disclosed information about her abuser, whom she addressed in her widely shared coronation speech.
Before the 25-year-old pageant queen and cardiothoracic ICU nurse was crowned in June, she outlined her goal to “eliminate unhealthy and abusive relationships.” During the pageant’s final interview segment, Smith stated to the audience, “My abuser is here today” but emphasized that their presence “not going to stop me from being on this Miss Kansas stage and from representing as Miss Kansas.”
In her speech, Smith declared, “I and my community deserve healthy relationships.” Adding, “we deserve a domestic [abuse]-free life.”
A clip of Smith’s speech went viral over the weekend, gaining widespread attention on social media. Users on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) praised Smith for her support of domestic abuse survivors. The Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence described her “bravery and advocacy” as “truly inspiring,” while another user on X commended her actions, saying they “take guts.”
In an interview with ABC News published on Wednesday, Smith discussed her viral moment, explaining that she wanted her abuser to “know right then and there that, ‘Yes, you’re on my mind right now, but you’re not going to take this opportunity away from me.’”
She also provided additional details about her abuser, stating, “He wanted full control over how I utilize my time, who I’m spending my time with.” Smith added that the emotional abuse she endured had a detrimental impact on her relationships with those closest to her.
“One of the strongest regrets that I have is the way that I treated others in response to how he ultimately wanted me to treat others,” Smith shared.
According to the CDC, domestic violence, also known as intimate partner violence, can encompass physical and sexual abuse, stalking, and psychological aggression.
The website reports that approximately 41% of women and 26% of men have faced intimate partner violence, while over 61 million women and 53 million men have experienced psychological aggression at some point in their lives.
A month after her coronation, Smith reflected on her victory and described how “someone I have been healing from tried to disrupt my peace.” Although it was an “unexpected turn” in her Miss Kansas journey, she found it to be empowering.
“Instead of falling into silence, I chose to live out my vision for a better world,” she wrote in her Instagram post. “I took back my power — not just for myself, but for my dreams and everyone watching and listening.”
She continued: “This isn’t about shunning others; it’s about turning our pain into purpose and channeling it in a way that unifies and uplifts.”