Content warning: This story discusses abuse and domestic violence. Alexis Smith is using her platform in a very important way. Just before she was crowned Miss Kansas during the pageant last month, she was asked what her vision would be as an ambassador for the Miss Kansas Organization.
The question gave Alexis a chance to do something not often seen during a beauty contest: Alexis called out her alleged abuser and said the person was in the audience. "My vision as the next Miss Kansas is to eliminate unhealthy and abusive relationships," she responded. "Matter of fact, some of you out in this audience saw me very emotional, because my abuser is here today.
" "But that's not going to stop me from being on this Miss Kansas and from representing as the next Miss Kansas," she continued. "Because I, and my community, deserve healthy relationships." The clip has since gone viral on social media , with Alexis—who did not identify her abuser—sharing the moment on her own Instagram July 12 , writing, "On the night of Miss Kansas, my journey took an unexpected turn when someone I have been healing from tried to disrupt my peace.
" But as the recent nursing school graduate explained, she didn't let that stop her. "Instead of falling into silence, I chose to live out my vision for a better world," she said. "I took back my power—not just for myself, but for my dreams and everyone watching and listening.
" And the pageant winner is "ready to use my story, tools and resources to end un.