Miss Kentucky Elle Smith Crowned Miss USA 2021

The winner of the 2021 Miss USA pageant is Miss Kentucky Elle Smith. She took home the title during the competition held Monday at the River Spirit Casino Resort in Tulsa, Okla.

Miss North Dakota Caitlyn Vogel was named the runner-up, followed by Miss Florida Ashley Carino and Miss Illinois Sydni Bennett.

Smith, who is a journalist at WHAS11 News in Louisville, succeeds Miss USA 2020 Asya Branch. This December, Smith will compete in the Miss Universe pageant in Israel. Andrea Meza currently holds the title of Miss Universe.

This year marked the 70th anniversary of the Miss USA competition. The event comes two days after the 2021 Miss Teen USA pageant, which Miss Florida Breanna Myles won.