Pageant Prep Interview with Elle Smith, Miss USA 2021

Pageant Prep Interview with Elle Smith, Miss USA 2021

December 2, 2021
By Katerina Katakalides

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Learn what it takes to stand out from a sea of queens - even when you’re new to the pageant scene. Elle Smith might be new to the glitz and glamor of the pageant world, but she is taking it by storm! After winning her first pageant, Miss Kentucky USA 2021, Elle was on her way to the national competition. After competing against 50 other state titleholders from across the country, Elle was crowned as the 70th Miss USA on Nov 29th, 2021.

Before capturing the elusive Miss USA crown designed by Mouawad, Queenly had the opportunity to chat with Elle about what it takes to prepare for both a state and national pageant. Get out your pen and paper (or I guess your Notes app!), because this queen definitely knows a thing or two!

Elle: “Hello everyone! My name is Elle Smith and I’m your Miss Kentucky USA 2021, competing in this years Miss USA!”

Katerina: “That is so exciting! Miss USA is basically here in just a few weeks. Are you leaving soon?”

E: “I fly out next Saturday which is the craziest thing in the whole entire world. My mom is like ‘How are you feeling?’ and I’m like ‘You know, I actually feel pretty calm, pretty mellow, but I know the moment I get on my flight, I’m gonna be like what is going on?!’ It’ll start to feel real then.”

K: “At least those nerves are coming from excitement and not nervousness for the plane ride. So, Miss USA is actually going to be your second pageant!”

E: “Yes! Miss Kentucky USA was my very first pageant. Girl, I see that you’ve done your research!”

K: “Of course! So tell us, what was it like going into a Miss USA state pageant with it being your first pageant because everybody knows that it’s such a high caliber.”

E: “I had so many different emotions and the funny thing is, I’ve been thinking about competing for years, but something just said you know, you should do it this year and finally commit. The best thing about it is I knew some of the other girls going into it, so that helped out a lot. And I did do a lot of prep. But, I mean, I don’t really know what there is to do. When you’re walking onto that stage, there’s just that moment when you’re thinking ‘Can I do this?’ and it’s funny because I was actually kicked onto the stage! I had this moment where I was like ‘I can not do this.’ But the moment you walk onstage and you see the cameras, and you see the audience, it’s just a feeling you can’t really explain. It was a lot of fun. Prep was a lot of fun.”

K: “What was your favorite part about preparing for pageants like Miss USA and Miss Kentucky USA?”

E: “I would say the growth I saw in myself. I’ve always taken pride in my communication skills but then with pageant prep, I saw where I was lacking, so I saw where I needed to improve in things like that but I also think about having a healthy lifestyle. I also saw improvements in that. All around I would say I’m a better woman because of pageants.”

K: “Was there anything that you learned from prep or is there anything you’re doing differently now preparing for Miss USA versus Miss Kentucky USA?”

E: “I just think it’s a little more intense just because of the caliber of the pageant that you’re preparing for, but for me leading up to Miss Kentucky I was really focused on the physical aspect of it a lot. I feel like I’ve got that part down so it’s just that mental preparation because you are there for about ten days. You’re competing against qualified, amazing women. I love all the girls, that’s what I tell everyone. But I think that mental preparation of being ‘I can be game on’ for that whole entire week and be ready because whoever wins needs to go to Miss Universe and slay as I like to say!”

K: “Wow! So did you bring anything you’re hoping to bring to Miss Universe with you? Certain clothes or items?”

E: “I’m bringing tons of clothes just in case! Just in case! Tons of shoe options and a good book. You always need a good book just in case you have to hop on a flight.”

It looks like Elle thought correctly because she’s now on her way to Israel for the Miss Universe 2021 pageant. We can’t wait to watch this queen as she competes for the international title! Let’s go Team USA!

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Elle Smith

Miss USA 2021

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