Advertisement

Elle Smith, University of Kentucky graduate and WHAS11 reporter, crowned Miss USA

University of Kentucky graduate Elle Smith, a reporter for WHAS11 in Louisville, was crowned Miss USA 2021 Monday night in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Smith, who won Miss Kentucky USA in May, graduated from UK in 2020 with a major in broadcast journalism and a minor in political science, according to WHAS11.

University officials congratulated Smith on Twitter Monday night. An earlier UK post about her pageant participation said she entered the Miss Kentucky USA pageant as Miss Germantown.

“I felt so much support from staff, faculty, peers. And there are also so many different opportunities for journalism students,” Smith said in the post. “I think those are what led me to get this job in Louisville right out of school.”

At UK, Smith was the vice president of UK’s National Association of Black Journalists chapter, a reporter for the UK Student News Network and a videographer for UK Athletics and SEC Network, the media outlet said.

Smith is the second Miss Kentucky USA to win the Miss USA title, following Tara Conner in 2006, WHAS reported.

Smith will compete for the Miss Universe title in Eilat, Israel, on Dec. 12.

CNN reported that the Miss Universe pageant is still scheduled even though a contestant tested positive for COVID-19.

Israel has travel restrictions as a result of the Omicron coronavirus variant and has barred tourists for the next two weeks.

“The Miss Universe Organization is working with Israeli officials to continue to get our contestants and staff into the country safely for the competition,“ CNN quoted a statement from the Miss Universe organization.

University of Kentucky graduate Elle Smith was crowned Miss USA. She’ll compete next in the Miss Universe pageant.
University of Kentucky graduate Elle Smith was crowned Miss USA. She’ll compete next in the Miss Universe pageant.
Kentuckian Elle Smith wins the Miss USA crown.
Kentuckian Elle Smith wins the Miss USA crown.
Miss USA Elle Smith
Miss USA Elle Smith
Elle Smith, Miss USA 2021, when she was crowned Miss Kentucky USA..
Elle Smith, Miss USA 2021, when she was crowned Miss Kentucky USA..