Catherine Zeta-Jones Discusses Pageant World & Body Issues

Content warning: This story discusses abuse and domestic violence.

Alexis Smith is using her platform in a very important way.

Just before she was crowned Miss Kansas during the pageant last month, she was asked what her vision would be as an ambassador for the Miss Kansas Organization. The question gave Alexis a chance to do something not often seen during a beauty contest: Alexis called out her alleged abuser and said the person was in the audience.

"My vision as the next Miss Kansas is to eliminate unhealthy and abusive relationships," she responded. "Matter of fact, some of you out 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 and from representing as the next Miss Kansas," she continued. "Because I, and my community, deserve healthy relationships."

The clip has since gone viral on social media, with Alexis—who did not identify her abuser—sharing the moment on her own Instagram July 12, writing, "On the night of Miss Kansas, my journey took an unexpected turn when someone I have been healing from tried to disrupt my peace."

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But as the recent nursing school graduate explained, she didn't let that stop her.

"Instead of falling into silence, I chose to live out my vision for a better world," she said. "I took back my power—not just for myself, but for my dreams and everyone watching and listening."

And the pageant winner is "ready to use my story, tools and resources to end unhealthy relationships in all forms."

"I might be small in stature," she added, "but I stand tall in strength, purpose, and power with hopes of inspiring others to do the same."

Instagram/Alexis Smith

And Alexis' empowering message struck a chord with her fans, who flooded her comments with praise.

"As a victim of domestic violence I applaud you for speaking out!!" one person wrote on Instagram. "I plan on helping women like us as well."

Another commented, "You just stood up for all women. Thank you. I'm sorry for what you went through. And thank you for speaking up."

As Alexis explained, she felt the need to stand up for those who have experienced violence in relationships because it's something that not only she has gone through, but others in her family have dealt with as well.

"My family," she told KSN News in an interview published July 18, "every single woman in my family, was impacted by domestic violence."

So, Alexis saw an opportunity to focus "on empowering women" while working for the Miss Kansas Organization. And she's excited that as the reigning Miss Kansas, she now has a duty as "a woman who needed that empowerment" to focus on giving back to her community.

"A big part of that is service and going out and taking your community, and not only developing a better you but a better community as well," she said, "and talk about your social impact and your initiative. It's something that I'm incredibly excited about to do on a large scale."

For more information on domestic abuse or to get help for yourself or someone you love, visit the website for The National Domestic Violence Hotline (http://www.thehotline.org/) or call 1-800-799-7233.