WHAS reporter Elle Smith can now add the title of Miss USA to her resume.
Over the weekend, Smith represented Kentucky in the Miss USA pageant and she beat out 50 competitors from across the U.S. Smith will go on to compete for the title of Miss Universe in Eilat, Israel in mid-December.
In a previous story, Smith said her participation gives her strength and confidence in what she does and doesn’t take away from her professionalism as a journalist.
“There’s always going to be people who think pageants exploit people, that they only show brainless beauties,” she said. “When I’m walking in a swimsuit, I’m showing the hard work that I do every single day to have a healthy body and a healthy lifestyle,” adding, “I would disagree with anyone who says you can’t be professional and wear a swimsuit.”
Smith has worked as a reporter at the Louisville, Ky. ABC affiliate since graduating from the University of Kentucky in 2020.