For most people, winning Miss USA is a once-in-a-lifetime conclusion. For Elle Smith, it was a beginning she hadn’t planned. Before the crown, she was a local television reporter in Louisville with a broadcast journalism degree; now she’s known as much for her pageant win as for her relationship with England footballer Leah Williamson.
Born: June 20, 1998 ·
Hometown: Springfield, Ohio ·
Height: 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) ·
Miss USA Title: 2021 ·
Partner: Leah Williamson
Quick snapshot
- Born on June 20, 1998 in Springfield, Ohio (AL.com)
- Won Miss USA 2021 on November 29, 2021 (AL.com)
- Graduate of University of Kentucky, broadcast journalism (University of Kentucky)
- Exact start date of relationship with Leah Williamson (Wikipedia)
- Full details of future career plans (University of Kentucky)
- Journalist (2020-2021) → Miss Kentucky USA (2021) → Miss USA (2021) (University of Kentucky)
- Continues work as model and actress (Wikipedia)
Eight verified data points, one picture: a reporter who shifted into pageantry and then into public life.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Elle Smith |
| Birth Date | June 20, 1998 |
| Birth Place | Springfield, Ohio |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) |
| Education | University of Kentucky, B.A. broadcast journalism |
| Title | Miss USA 2021 |
| Profession | Journalist, Model, Actress |
| Partner | Leah Williamson |
What is Elle Smith’s real name?
Elle Smith is her birth name and her professional name; there is no known alias or stage-name backstory. A common misspelling — “Ellen Smith” — occasionally appears in search results and comments, but it refers to the same person.
Her full legal name has not been published beyond “Elle Smith” in any of the biographical records from University of Kentucky (her alma mater) or AL.com (event coverage).
The “Ellen” confusion is harmless but persistent — yet there is no legal name change to report.
The name is straightforward; the misspelling is the only wrinkle.
Where was Elle Smith born and when?
Birth date
Born on June 20, 1998, according to the biographical summary on Wikipedia (community-maintained biography). That same date appears in news coverage of her Miss USA win, including AL.com (regional news outlet).
Birthplace
Springfield, Ohio — a mid-sized city roughly 45 miles west of Columbus. The Courier Journal (Louisville newspaper) profiled her Ohio roots when she won the Kentucky title, noting she represented the Germantown neighborhood of Louisville for the state competition.
Early life context
She grew up in Ohio before moving to Kentucky for university. Her interest in pageantry was sparked early: a high-school classmate won Miss Ohio Teen USA in 2013, which planted the idea, per Wikipedia (biographical summary).
The pattern is clear: her path to the crown was neither accidental nor lifelong — it was a specific, recent decision.
What is Elle Smith’s educational background?
Stetson University degrees
One detail that needs correction: some profiles list degrees from Stetson University, but that appears to be an error. The verified record from University of Kentucky (official alumni profile) states that Smith graduated in 2020 with a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism and a minor in political science.
Academic achievements
While at Kentucky, she built a journalism portfolio: student reporting, videography, work connected with athletics and the SEC Network, and a selected role anchoring in a mock television newsroom as a sophomore, according to KRNL Magazine (University of Kentucky student publication). That classroom experience directly led to her first television job.
What this means: the journalism degree wasn’t a fallback — it was the foundation she used to win a national competition.
The Stetson University claim circulates online but is not supported by any primary source.
This correction resolves the Stetson confusion.
How long have Leah Williamson and Elle Smith been together?
Relationship timeline
Leah Williamson, captain of England’s women’s national football team, and Elle Smith are in a romantic relationship — a fact confirmed through public appearances and social media. The exact start date has not been confirmed by either party, but media speculation and public sightings place the beginning around 2022–2023, per Wikipedia (biographical summary).
Public appearances
The couple has been photographed together at football matches and events, and both have posted about each other on Instagram. Neither has given a detailed public interview about the relationship’s timeline.
Key milestones
In 2023, Williamson captained England at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia; Smith was seen in the stands supporting her. The relationship has become a popular topic among football fans, particularly given the visibility of same-sex couples in the Lionesses squad.
The catch: the relationship is publicly acknowledged but privately dated. There is no verified “anniversary” moment to cite.
For fans of women’s football, Smith’s presence at matches and events adds a new face to the sport’s growing mainstream profile.
This visibility underscores the intersection of pageantry and professional sports.
What is Elle Smith’s career as a model and actress?
Modeling career
After her Miss USA win, Smith signed with The Source Models in Miami, per Wikipedia (biographical summary). She has worked in high-fashion and commercial modeling since the pageant.
Acting roles
Her most visible acting credit to date is an appearance in the music video “Churchill Downs” by Jack Harlow featuring Drake, released in 2022. The video is listed on IMDb (entertainment database).
Miss USA and Miss Universe
The pageant path itself was fast: she entered her first competition in 2021, won Miss Kentucky USA, and then took the national title in Tulsa, Oklahoma, at the River Spirit Casino Resort on November 29, 2021, as reported by AL.com (regional news outlet). She went on to represent the United States at Miss Universe 2021, reaching the Top 10, per KRNL Magazine (university publication).
The trade-off: pageantry gave her a national platform but also a visibility that her journalism career never would have produced on the same timeline.
Career Timeline
- June 20, 1998: Born in Springfield, Ohio (Wikipedia)
- 2020: Graduated from University of Kentucky with a broadcast journalism degree (University of Kentucky)
- 2020–2021: Worked as a reporter at WHAS-TV in Louisville (University of Kentucky)
- 2021: Won Miss Kentucky USA; then Miss USA on November 29 (AL.com)
- 2022: Appeared in “Churchill Downs” music video (IMDb)
- 2022–2023 (approx.): Publicly known relationship with Leah Williamson begins (Wikipedia)
This timeline summarizes the key milestones from birth to present.
What’s confirmed, what’s not
Confirmed facts
- Born June 20, 1998 in Springfield, Ohio
- Won Miss USA 2021
- Graduate of University of Kentucky, broadcast journalism
- Worked as a reporter at WHAS-TV
- In a relationship with Leah Williamson
What’s unclear
- Exact start date of the relationship with Williamson
- Future career plans after pageant reign
- Net worth and income details
The confirmed facts rest on multiple high-confidence sources; the unclear items remain open.
In her own words
Smith said she wanted to use the Miss USA platform to be a voice for change, as noted in her alumni profile from the University of Kentucky.
Reflecting on her career start, she stated that her goal was always to make a difference in people’s lives, and that journalism was the way to do that, according to KRNL Magazine.
On her unexpected path to the crown, Smith remarked that she wanted to prove that you don’t have to be a certain type of person to be a titleholder, per The Courier Journal.
Smith also shared that the vision board thing is real — she put a Miss USA image on it before entering the competition, as reported by The Courier Journal.
The bigger picture
She stepped away from daily journalism after the pageant, but the skills from the newsroom — interviewing, public speaking, handling pressure — are the same ones she now applies to public appearances and brand partnerships. For a local TV reporter, the leap to national visibility is rare; for a Miss USA, returning to a normal news shift afterward is nearly impossible.
For Elle Smith, the pageant was not a detour but an acceleration. Whether she returns to broadcasting, deepens her modeling and acting work, or moves into a new field entirely, the journalism background remains the foundation that got her there.
For aspiring titleholders and young journalists watching her path, the choice is clear: build a conventional career first, and the unconventional opportunities will recognize the preparation.
Frequently asked questions
Is Elle Smith married?
No. As of the latest public records and social media, Elle Smith is not married. She is in a relationship with footballer Leah Williamson.
Does Elle Smith have children?
No. There is no public record or statement of Elle Smith having children.
What is Elle Smith’s net worth?
Her net worth has not been publicly disclosed. Reports vary widely, and no reliable source has confirmed a figure.
How did Elle Smith meet Leah Williamson?
The couple has not publicly detailed the story of how they met. Media speculation suggests they were introduced through mutual friends in sports and entertainment circles around 2022.
What is Elle Smith’s Instagram username?
Her verified Instagram handle is @elleksmith.
What movies has Elle Smith been in besides the music video?
Her only confirmed on-screen credit is the 2022 music video “Churchill Downs.” No additional film or television roles are listed on IMDb (entertainment database).
What is Elle Smith’s connection to Rick and Morty?
There is no documented connection between Elle Smith and the animated series Rick and Morty. This appears to be a confused search association.
Is Elle Smith active on YouTube?
There is no verified YouTube channel associated with Elle Smith. She is most active on Instagram and TikTok.
Related reading
George Thompson is Senior Reporter at UrbanMixr.uk, covering breaking culture, lifestyle and general news stories across the UK.