Elle Smith – Miss USA 2021, Journalist, and Fact Check

Elle Smith is a name that often triggers a mix of recognition and confusion. One individual is the journalist and beauty queen who won Miss USA 2021. Another person with the same name appears in film credits as a writer. Online searches also raise questions about a chef named Elle Smith or a connection to English footballer Leah Williamson. This article untangles the facts, clarifies what is known and what remains uncertain, and provides a clear portrait of the people behind the name.

The most visible Elle Smith in the public eye is Ellen Elizabeth Smith, widely known as Elle Smith, who was crowned Miss USA 2021. Reliable sources describe her as a journalist, model, and former TV reporter from Kentucky. She is not formally listed as a chef, nor is there any credible link between her and Leah Williamson. A separate Elle Smith has credits as a writer on films such as Untamed and The Marsh King’s Daughter, but it is not confirmed that this is the same person.

To help readers quickly grasp the essentials, the following sections break down her identity, career milestones, personal life, and social media presence, drawing only from verified sources and clearly noting where information is uncertain.

Who Is Elle Smith? Identity and Background

Key Insights

• Elle Smith (Miss USA 2021) is primarily a journalist and beauty pageant titleholder – not a chef or model by profession.
• There is a separate writer named Elle Smith with IMDB credits (e.g., Untamed, Wer, The Marsh King’s Daughter) who may or may not be the same person.
• The search for “Elle Smith chef” likely stems from confusion with other individuals or internet rumors; no credible source confirms she is a chef.
• Elle Smith’s large social media following (162K Instagram, 191K TikTok) indicates strong digital influence beyond pageantry.
• Elle Smith’s relationship with Leah Williamson (English footballer) is not publicly confirmed; searches may mix up the two individuals or imply a connection without evidence.
• She grew up in Springfield, Ohio, and is biracial – with a Black father and white mother.
• She was the second woman from Kentucky to win Miss USA and competed in her first pageant only after winning Miss Kentucky USA.

What Is Elle Smith’s Career? Clarifying Miss USA, Journalism, Writing, Modeling, and Chef Rumors

Did Elle Smith Win Miss USA?

Yes. Elle Smith won Miss USA 2021 representing Kentucky. She was the second woman from Kentucky to earn the title. She then represented the United States at Miss Universe 2021, where she placed in the Top 10. Her state title win, Miss Kentucky USA 2021, was her first ever pageant competition.

Is Elle Smith a Journalist?

Yes. Elle Smith graduated from the University of Kentucky in 2020 with a degree in broadcast journalism and a minor in political science. She served as vice president of the university’s National Association of Black Journalists chapter. Before becoming Miss USA, she worked as a reporter for WHAS11, the ABC affiliate in Louisville, Kentucky. Multiple news outlets – including NPR, USA Today, and the Courier-Journal – confirm her background in journalism.

Is Elle Smith a Writer?

This is where ambiguity arises. The Miss USA titleholder is not known to have published written works or have credits as a writer. However, a different person named Elle Smith appears on IMDb as a writer for films such as Untamed (2025), Wer (2013), and The Marsh King’s Daughter (2023). Whether this is the same Elle Smith remains unconfirmed. No reliable source connects the two profiles.

Is Elle Smith a Model?

She is described in multiple sources as a model, likely due to her pageant participation and post-win appearances. However, there is no independent confirmation of formal modeling contracts or agency representation. Her social media does feature modeling-style content, but this is common for pageant titleholders.

Is Elle Smith a Chef?

No credible source supports the claim that Elle Smith is a chef. The rumor appears to stem from internet confusion with other individuals or from misattributed search results. The available biographical details – journalist, TV reporter, pageant winner – do not include any culinary profession.

Elle Smith’s Personal Life: Husband and Relationship with Leah Williamson

Is Elle Smith Married?

According to available sources, there is no public information confirming that Elle Smith is married. She has not announced a husband or engagement in interviews or on her social media platforms.

What Is Elle Smith’s Relationship with Leah Williamson?

None of the provided sources connect Elle Smith to Leah Williamson, the English footballer. Williamson is a separate public figure entirely. The appearance of the two names together in search results likely results from keyword mixing or user confusion. No evidence of a romantic, professional, or personal relationship exists.

Where to Find Elle Smith Online: Social Media Presence

What Is Elle Smith’s Instagram?

Her official Instagram account is @officialellesmith. At the time of the most recent source, it had over 90,000 followers. She posts a mix of modeling photos, pageant memories, and personal updates.

How Many Followers Does Elle Smith Have on TikTok?

The same source reports that her TikTok account, also @officialellesmith, has accumulated over 191,000 followers. The account features short video content, including lifestyle and pageant-related clips.

What Is Elle Smith’s TikTok Handle?

Her TikTok username is @officialellesmith, consistent with her Instagram handle. This information comes from Famous Birthdays and aligns with the account referenced in the research.

What Are the Key Milestones in Elle Smith’s Life?

1. 1998 – Born in Springfield, Ohio (June 19; IMDb lists June 20).
2. 2016 – Graduated high school (assumed based on age).
3. 2020 – Graduated from the University of Kentucky with a degree in broadcast journalism. Began work as a reporter at WHAS11.
4. 2021 – Won Miss Kentucky USA and then Miss USA 2021 in November.
5. 2021 – Represented the U.S. at Miss Universe, placing in the Top 10.
6. 2022–2024 – Continued journalism work, social media growth, and public appearances.
7. 2025 (separate track) – The writer Elle Smith is credited on the film Untamed (projected release). Whether this is the same person is not confirmed.

What Is Certain and What Remains Unclear About Elle Smith?

Why Are There Multiple People Named Elle Smith?

The name “Elle Smith” is not exceptionally rare, and it appears in different professional spheres. The most prominent is the Miss USA 2021 winner and journalist from Kentucky. Separately, the IMDB database credits an Elle Smith with writing on several film projects. A third version of the name appears in internet chatter about a chef, though no credible source supports that claim. Search engines sometimes conflate these individuals, especially when users search for “Elle Smith writer” or “Elle Smith chef.” The Leah Williamson association appears to be a complete mix-up, possibly because both names appear in trending topics. The most reliable way to distinguish them is to focus on the occupation and the source: if the subject is a pageant winner and journalist, it is the Kentucky native described here.

What Do Reliable Sources Say About Elle Smith?

“Ellen Elizabeth Elle Smith (born June 19, 1998) is an American journalist and beauty pageant titleholder who won Miss USA 2021.”
— Wikipedia

“Smith, 23, is a reporter for WHAS11, the ABC affiliate in Louisville, and graduated from the University of Kentucky in 2020.”
— NPR

“The University of Kentucky graduate and WHAS11 reporter was crowned Miss USA 2021 on Monday night at the Grand Casino in Tulsa, Oklahoma.”
— USA Today

What Should You Remember About Elle Smith?

Elle Smith (born June 19, 1998) is a journalist and beauty pageant titleholder from Kentucky who won Miss USA 2021 and placed in the Top 10 at Miss Universe. She worked as a TV reporter and holds a degree in broadcast journalism. Claims that she is a chef or connected to Leah Williamson are unsubstantiated. A separate Elle Smith works as a film writer, but the two are not confirmed to be the same person. For further context on public figures who have transitioned across different careers, see the article on Georgia Toffolo – Biography, Books, and 2025 Update.

Frequently Asked Questions