Elle Smith was crowned Miss Kentucky USA 2021 on 22nd May 2021 at the Centre for Rural Development in Somerset. She was crowned by her predecessor Miss Kentucky USA 2020 Lexie Iles at the end of the event finale.
Elle is 22-years-old and is a graduate from the University of Kentucky’s School of Journalism who joined WHAS11 News in October and covers stories throughout southern Indiana. After winning the crown she mentioned, "It’s just so many different emotions but the whole process was amazing. It was my first-ever pageant. I walked in wanting to do my best, I knew I had done everything I possibly could and it just worked out.”