I first came to know Kristin Smith when I was modeling for the Miami University Club of Fashion and Design’s (MUCFD) Annual Fashion Show last year. Kristin is the model coordinator who was trained in a modeling course in LA and signed with a modeling agency. I remembered telling myself, “Wow, this girl is a big deal!” Little did I know that the model coordinator who taught us how to stride down the runway would be crowned Miss Ohio USA 2013! Learn more about the talented Kristin Smith below:
Name: Kristin Marie Smith
Year: Senior
Hometown: Dayton, OH
Major: Strategic Communication
Campus Involvement: MUCFD
Hobbies: Hanging out with my boyfriend, Matt, and our dog, Henry; cooking, working out, shopping, relaxing, just the simple things!
Congratulations on being titled Miss Ohio USA 2013! How does that feel to win the title?
Thank you for the congratulations! It is a very strange feeling for me. That is because I have never been in a pageant ever before trying this one. It feels awesome to be able to say that I won the first one that I competed in! A lot comes along with the title. I am an ambassador to a breast cancer foundation, The Pink Ribbon Girls, I will be speaking at events, attending events, and making appearances. I really like that it has given me a platform to speak out on the things that I believe in.
What made you decide to participate in the first place?
A good family friend, Allie LaForce, actually competed in Miss Ohio Teen USA in 2005. She had never been in a pageant before and ended up winning. She then went to compete at Miss Teen USA 2005 and won! She and her family had been telling me for a few years to try it. I had always declined, saying that it just wasn’t for me. Finally, from their push as well as others support, I decided to enter last minute! I am very glad that I did!
How was the process of preparing for a pageant competition like?
There was not much prep work for me. I kind of decided to compete last minute, so I did not really have the time to worry, stress out and prepare! I think that helped me because I wasn’t as nervous or stressed when I got to the actual pageant.
What was your favorite part about the competition process?
I think my favorite part of the process was the series of private interviews with the judging panel. This is because it was the time that the judges really got to know what each girl was like! It allowed me to express my personality. I kind of put everything on the table about who I was and basically said: “Here is who I am, here is why I would make a good Miss Ohio USA, take it or leave it.” The judges later told me that they really enjoyed getting to know me and loved how honest I was.
What went through your mind when you were crowned Miss Ohio USA?
To be honest, it was a complete black out. I did not even hear them announce my name. All I remember seeing is the first runner-up giving me an awful glare and that is when I knew I had won. It was a complete shock because I had never competed before and all of the other girls were returning veterans.
What is in store for you after winning Miss Ohio USA 2013?
Well, along with what I have previously explained, I will be competing at Miss USA 2013 in June in Las Vegas! I am very excited, yet very nervous for this! To help me prepare, I have a fabulous team that I am working with. I have a personal trainer, trainer, and style/makeup/hair team! I couldn’t ask for better people to work with, everyone is so talented.
How has your life changed after winning the title?
I don’t think my life has changed too much. I don’t let winning get to my head. I am the same old Kristin that I have always been! If anything, it has helped me to become more outgoing!
With adding all of the new activities onto your schedule, how did you manage everything? Does someone help you plan all of these events and appearances?
I do have a busy schedule and at times it may seem like a balancing act, but it is totally worth it! My director from Miss Ohio USA helps with events and what not, but Matt is also very helpful and has helped me get everything together! I am very grateful for that!
What are your plans after graduation? Have your plan for the future changed after you were crowned Miss Ohio USA?
Before becoming Miss Ohio USA 2013, my boyfriend and I had set plans of moving to Los Angeles together and working out there for an entertainment company. We are going to keep those plans, but depending on how I fare at Miss USA 2013, those plans could be put on hold for a year! If I were to win Miss USA, we would live in New York in a penthouse in Trump Towers. We will end up on either the west coast or the east coast and I couldn’t be happier about our future!
I remembered you participated in a modeling course over the summer in LA a couple years ago. Can you tell more about it? Does it help you in any way for this pageant competition?
Well, I went out to LA right after my freshman year here. It was supposed to be a 2-week trip to meet with new agents and sign with another agency. That trip quickly turned into “I will be home after my 19th birthday”, which turned into “I will be home before fall semester begins”, and that finally turned into “I will be home the week before Christmas”. I know that my parents were not exactly thrilled by what I did, but I do appreciate the trust that they gave me. I did online schooling while there so I didn’t fall behind in school, which was good! I stayed for so long because I was finding much success and began working for a huge entertainment company. I met the CEOs by chance, and began working with their VIP clientele and then even became a personal assistant. It was a lot of fun and also allowed me to become independent, very responsible, and grown-up.
I have been modeling since I was about 15-16, so I think that having that background did help me compete at Miss Ohio USA. Though I may seem like a really shy person, I am very comfortable in front of a camera, which worked in my favor.
Now, just for fun:
What is your favorite memory at Miami so far?
I would have to say that my favorite memory at Miami was meeting the some of the most important people in my life here and I would not change a thing about it! I met my wonderful boyfriend, Matt Johnson, here as well as great friends, Taylor, Victoria, and Natalie to name a few!
What is your favorite restaurant uptown?
Well, I really like trying all types of cuisines, but I will have to say that most of the date nights that Matt and I have end up being at MIA. It has great food and is in an upscale atmosphere. We also enjoy sushi from Sushi Nara.
What would your ideal Friday night consist of?
My ideal Friday would be a nice, relaxing date night! Either cooking and watching a movie or going out to dinner and movie or even out on the town! I am not a picky girl and do not really need much to have a nice time!
The Her Campus team at Miami wishes Kristin all the best of luck while competing at Miss USA 2013 in June!
Fun fact: The Her Campus team recently spotted Kristin in Luke Bryan’s lastest video, Buzzkill. Check out the video here.