Elle Smith was crowned as Miss USA 2021 on 29tth November 2021 at the Paradise Cove Theater of River Spirit Casino Resort in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She succeeded Miss USA 2020 Asya Danielle Branch for the title.
Elle is one of the most charming ladies on the competition and is emerging as a crowd favourite. The 23-year-old is a broadcast journalism graduate from the University of Kentucky’s School of Journalism and Media and currently works as a news reporter in WHAS11 Louisville and covers stories throughout southern Indiana. As a Wildcat, she was the vice president of UK’s National Association of Black Journalists chapter, a reporter for the UK Student News Network and a videographer for UK Athletics and SEC Network.
Elle previously shared that her participation in pageants doesn't take away from her professionalism as a journalist, even though some may be quick to criticize. "There's always going to be people who think pageants exploit people, that they only show brainless beauties," she said. She doesn't let that negativity bother her. Instead, she said she finds strength and confidence in what she does.