Alexis Smith’s Miss Kansas Reveals Details About Her Abuser in Viral Coronation Speech
Before she was crowned Miss Kansas in June, 25-year-old Alexis Smith, a cardiothoracic ICU nurse, made a significant pledge to eliminate unhealthy and abusive relationships. During the final interview segment of the pageant, she bravely told the audience, “My abuser is here today,” but firmly declared that his presence would not deter her from taking the Miss Kansas stage and representing her state.
In her poignant speech, Smith emphasized, “I and my community deserve healthy relationships” and stressed the right to a life free from domestic abuse. Her words struck a chord with many, and a clip of her speech quickly went viral over the weekend, garnering widespread attention on social media. Support poured in from users on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter), who praised her for supporting domestic abuse survivors. The Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence lauded her “bravery and advocacy” as “truly inspiring,” and another user on X admired her courage, noting that it “takes guts.”
In an interview with ABC News published on Wednesday, Smith shared more about her viral moment, explaining that she wanted her abuser to know that while he was on her mind, he would not take away her moment of triumph. She revealed more details about her abuser, describing how he sought to control every aspect of her life, dictating how she spent her time and with whom. This emotional abuse severely strained her relationships with those closest to her.
Reflecting on the impact of the abuse, Smith expressed deep regret for how she treated others as a result of her abuser’s manipulative influence. “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,” she shared.
According to the CDC, domestic violence, also known as intimate partner violence, includes physical and sexual abuse, stalking, and psychological aggression. Statistics reveal that approximately 41% of women and 26% of men have experienced intimate partner violence, while over 61 million women and 53 million men have faced psychological aggression at some point in their lives.
A month after her coronation, Smith reflected on her victory and the attempt by someone from her past to disrupt her peace. Despite this “unexpected turn” in her journey as Miss Kansas, she found it empowering. “Instead of falling into silence, I chose to live out my vision for a better world,” she wrote in an Instagram post. “I took back my power — not just for myself, but for my dreams and everyone watching and listening.”
Smith concluded her message with a powerful sentiment: “This isn’t about shunning others; it’s about turning our pain into purpose and channeling it in a way that unifies and uplifts.”