Newly-crowned Miss Kansas Alexis Smith reveals why she delivered empowering speech to call out abusive ex-boyfriend who was in the audience during pageant in now viral clip

The newly-crowned Miss Kansas who called out her abusive ex-boyfriend during the pageant did so in a bid to help empower other survivors of domestic violence, she has revealed.

Alexis Smith went viral last week after she posted a video from the interview portion of last month's Miss Kansas pageant in which she disclosed that her own abuser was sitting in the competition audience.

Smith, an cardiothoracic intensive care nurse, told the audience that she had been 'emotional' earlier that day because the perpetrator was present and revealed her vision was to 'eliminate unhealthy and abusive relationships'. She also vowed to use her position as Miss Kansas to fight for a 'domestic violence free life'.

Her bold pageant statement against domestic abuse and courage to speak out has received an outpour of praise and support online as the video continues to be shared over and over again.

The beauty queen has now revealed that she made the decision to share her story on stage because domestic violence had impacted 'every single woman in my family' and because the Miss Kansas Organization 'truly focuses on empowering women'.

Alexis Smith went viral after she called out her abusive ex-boyfriend during the interview portion of the Miss Kansas pageant last month

Alexis Smith, pictured with her mother in a photo shared on her Facebook page, has vowed to use her position as Miss Kansas to fight for a 'domestic violence free life'

Smith entered her first relationship when she was 14 years old, which she says was an 'abusive', and stayed with her now-ex for nearly five years.

She said the relationship and the impact of the abuse is something 'I'm still experiencing and dealing with today'. 

The ICU nurse shared that she cares deeply about domestic violence issues because not only was she a victim, but so were many of the other women in her family

'My family, every single woman in my family, was impacted by domestic violence,' Smith said in an interview with KSNW-TV.

Smith just recently started her reign after being crowned Miss Kansas on June 8 and began raising concerns about the issue in interviews and social media posts. 

She believes that her position as a pageant competitor and now state title holder allows her to be a voice in the solution. 

'I took advantage of the Miss Kansas Organization, which truly focuses on empowering women,' she told the TV outlet. 

The beauty queen, pictured, has now revealed that she made the decision to share her story on stage because domestic violence had impacted 'every single woman in my family'

The cardiothoracic ICU nurse form Wichita has found herself hailed as a hero 

Alexis Smith, pictured, just recently started her reign after being crowned Miss Kansas on June 8 and began raising concerns about the issue in interviews and social media posts.

'And me, being a woman who needed that empowerment all my life, being a bystander to domestic violence, a victim, a survivor, and now an advocate as well as a young woman who is educationally driven, I have the opportunity not only to share my story on such a large scale but also go back to school.' 

Smith previously revealed that she discovered her abuser had arrived at the Pratt Community College to watch the competition final the night before.

'On the night of Miss Kansas, my journey took an unexpected turn when someone I have been healing from tried to disrupt my peace,' she explained on her Facebook page.

'Instead of falling into silence, I chose to live out my vision for a better world. 

'I took back the power — not just for myself, but for my dreams and everyone watching and listening. This isn't about shunning others; it's about turning our pain into purpose and channeling it in a way that unifies and uplifts.'

The video Smith posted July 16 has been viewed more than 60,000 times and generated a rash of news stories.

The clip saw her say while on stage last month: 'My vision as the next Miss Kansas is to eliminate unhealthy and abusive relationships.

She won on the Miss Kansas competition on June 8 a platform of 'Respect Reclaimed: Advocating for Healthy Relationships'

Smith will compete in the next Miss America contest, set for January 2025. She is pictured among other beauty queens ahead of the final

'Matter of fact, some of you 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 stage and from representing as the next Miss Kansas.

'Because I, and my community, deserve healthy relationships.'

The audience erupted in a standing ovation and her comments are resonating with thousands of people and have won praise from organizations supporting victims of domestic violence across the country.

Smith will compete in the next Miss America contest, set for January 2025, on a platform of Respect Reclaimed: Advocating for Healthy Relationships'.

For confidential help 24/7, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or text START to 88788.