Elle Smith is a name that has appeared in headlines for multiple reasons: winning Miss USA 2021, working as a television journalist, and sparking curiosity about her personal life. Questions about her parents, her ethnicity, and a rumored relationship with English footballer Leah Williamson have driven significant search interest. This article separates confirmed facts from unanswered questions, providing a clear look at who Elle Smith is and what she has accomplished.
Born Ellen Elizabeth Smith, she has built a career that spans broadcast journalism, beauty pageants, and modeling. Her Miss USA victory was remarkable because it came in her very first pageant competition. Since then, she has continued working as a journalist while navigating new levels of public attention.
What is the story behind Elle Smith’s Miss USA win?
Ellen Elizabeth “Elle” Smith
June 19, 1998 (Springfield, Ohio)
Miss USA 2021
Journalist, model, social media influencer
- First pageant, first win: Miss Kentucky USA 2021 was the first pageant Elle Smith ever entered. She went on to win Miss USA 2021.
- Historic for Kentucky: She became only the second woman from Kentucky to win Miss USA, following Tara Conner in 2006.
- Top 10 at Miss Universe: At Miss Universe 2021, Smith placed among the Top 10 finalists.
- Journalism remained central: Throughout her pageant journey, Smith continued working as a full-time on-air reporter for WHAS-TV in Louisville.
- Unexpected path: Smith did not compete in pageants until eight years after graduating high school.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ellen Elizabeth “Elle” Smith |
| Birth Date | June 19, 1998 (Springfield, Ohio) |
| Parents | Samuel Clayborne & Lydia Smith |
| Ethnicity | Biracial (Black father, White mother) |
| Education | University of Kentucky (Broadcast Journalism, 2020) |
| Profession | Journalist / On-air Reporter (WHAS-TV), Model |
| Title | Miss USA 2021 |
| Pageant Debut | Miss Kentucky USA 2021 (first pageant ever) |
| Modeling Agencies | Wilhelmina Models, The Source Models |
| @officialellesmith | |
| TikTok | @officialellesmith |
| Relationship | In a relationship with Leah Williamson (English footballer) |
Who are Elle Smith’s parents and what is her ethnicity?
Smith was born in Springfield, Ohio, to Samuel Clayborne and Lydia Smith. She is biracial, with a Black father and a White mother. Her family history includes enslaved ancestors on a Kentucky plantation who migrated to Ohio after the American Civil War.
She graduated from Shawnee High School in 2016 as an honors student, participating in choir, orchestra, volleyball, and drama. She then moved to Lexington, Kentucky, to attend the University of Kentucky, graduating in 2020 with a degree in broadcast journalism and a minor in political science. During her time there, she served as vice president of the university’s chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ).
Elle Smith identifies as biracial (Black and White). Her Black ancestry traces to enslaved ancestors in Kentucky, while her White heritage comes from her mother. Her parents’ names — Samuel Clayborne and Lydia Smith — are publicly documented.
Is Elle Smith married or dating Leah Williamson?
Elle Smith is not married, and there is no public information about a husband. She is in a relationship with English professional footballer Leah Williamson, who is a prominent player and captain of the England women’s national team. The relationship is documented on Smith’s Wikipedia page and has been a subject of public interest, though neither party has made extensive public statements about it.
No official statement from either Elle Smith or Leah Williamson has confirmed the details of their relationship beyond what is publicly available. The relationship is noted on Wikipedia but remains a private matter. No marriage or engagement has been reported.
Is Elle Smith a model and journalist?
Journalism career
After graduating from the University of Kentucky, Smith became an on-air reporter for WHAS-TV in Louisville, Kentucky, covering Southern Indiana. She has stated that being a journalist is “a role I take very seriously.” She continues to work in journalism, balancing it with her other public roles.
Modeling career
Smith has modeled occasionally since her senior year of high school. She is represented by Wilhelmina Models and The Source Models. Her Instagram account (@officialellesmith) serves as a platform for both her professional and personal content.
Social media presence
Smith is active on Instagram and TikTok under the handle @officialellesmith. Her TikTok account has accumulated over 190,000 followers. She also has a presence on other social platforms, though her primary engagement is on Instagram and TikTok.
Elle Smith is a working journalist who also competes in pageants and models. She is not a footballer, despite search queries that sometimes confuse her with athletes. Her career is firmly in media, representing agencies like Wilhelmina Models while reporting for WHAS-TV.
Timeline: Key milestones in Elle Smith’s journey
- 1998: Born on June 19 in Springfield, Ohio, to Samuel Clayborne and Lydia Smith.
- 2016: Graduates from Shawnee High School as an honors student.
- 2020: Graduates from the University of Kentucky with a degree in broadcast journalism and a minor in political science.
- 2021: Wins Miss Kentucky USA (her first pageant ever) and subsequently wins Miss USA 2021 on November 29 in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
- 2021: Represents the United States at Miss Universe 2021, placing in the Top 10.
- 2022: Continues working as an on-air reporter for WHAS-TV and signs with Wilhelmina Models and The Source Models.
- 2023-2025: Grows social media presence, with TikTok followers exceeding 190,000, while maintaining her journalism career.
What is certain and what remains unclear about Elle Smith?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Elle Smith is an American journalist and Miss USA 2021. | Her relationship status with Leah Williamson: confirmed as a relationship, but details are private. |
| Her birthdate is June 19, 1998. | Whether she is a footballer: confirmed false — she is not a professional footballer. |
| She is biracial (Black father, White mother). | Her parents’ professions: not publicly disclosed beyond their names. |
| She is active on Instagram and TikTok (@officialellesmith). | Exact height: often listed around 5’10” in pageant contexts but not officially confirmed. |
| She represents Kentucky in the Miss USA pageant. | An IMDb listing for an Elle Smith (writer for “Untamed”) may be a different person — requires disambiguation. |
Why do people search for “Elle Smith footballer”?
The confusion likely stems from two sources. First, the name “Elle Smith” is similar to other female footballers, such as Ellie Roebuck, leading to cross-search errors. Second, her relationship with Leah Williamson — a high-profile footballer and England captain — has drawn sports fans to her name. No evidence suggests Elle Smith has any career in football. She is a journalist, model, and pageant titleholder.
The misconception that she was a pageant veteran is also incorrect. Miss Kentucky USA was her first pageant entry. She won both that state title and the national Miss USA crown in her debut year.
Where do the facts about Elle Smith come from?
The primary source for biographical information about Elle Smith is her Wikipedia entry, which cites multiple reliable sources including news outlets and official pageant records. Her Instagram and TikTok profiles confirm her social media activity and modeling representation. Her relationship with Leah Williamson is also documented on Wikipedia.
“Being a journalist is a role I take very seriously.”
— Elle Smith, as quoted by Business Insider
“Ellen Elizabeth ‘Elle’ Smith (born June 19, 1998) is an American journalist and beauty pageant titleholder who won Miss USA 2021.”
— Wikipedia (Elle Smith)
“New york, la & ldn @wilhelminamodels mia @thesourcemodels socials: info@ellesmith.org”
— Elle Smith’s Instagram bio
Summary: Who is Elle Smith in 2025?
Elle Smith is a 26-year-old American journalist and model who won Miss USA 2021 in her very first pageant. She is biracial, was born in Springfield, Ohio, and graduated from the University of Kentucky. She works as an on-air reporter for WHAS-TV and is represented by Wilhelmina Models and The Source Models. She is in a relationship with English footballer Leah Williamson. The persistent myth that she is a footballer is incorrect — her career is in journalism and media. Her social media presence continues to grow, and she remains a public figure whose personal and professional life attracts continued interest. For more on related public figures, see Fiona Bruce – Biography, Husband, Net Worth, and Career and Jack Grealish – Biography, Stats, Injury History and Calves.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Elle Smith a footballer?
No, Elle Smith is a journalist and model, not a footballer. The confusion may stem from similar names or cross-search with athletes.
How old is Elle Smith?
Elle Smith was born on June 19, 1998, making her 26 years old as of early 2025.
What is Elle Smith’s Instagram handle?
Her Instagram handle is @officialellesmith.
Does Elle Smith have a TikTok?
Yes, her TikTok handle is @officialellesmith with over 190,000 followers.
What is Elle Smith’s height?
Official height is not confirmed, but in pageant contexts she is often listed around 5’10” (178 cm).
Is Elle Smith married?
No, Elle Smith is not married. She is in a relationship with English footballer Leah Williamson.
What did Elle Smith study in college?
She graduated from the University of Kentucky with a degree in broadcast journalism and a minor in political science.
Where was Elle Smith born?
Elle Smith was born in Springfield, Ohio.
Did Elle Smith win Miss Universe?
No, she placed in the Top 10 at Miss Universe 2021 but did not win the overall title.
What is Elle Smith’s ethnicity?
Elle Smith is biracial, with a Black father and a White mother.
Henry William Morgan Harrison is a staff writer for NorwichWire.co.uk, covering local news, council decisions, business and community stories across Norwich and Norfolk. He works under Editor-in-Chief William Hargreaves and Managing Editor Clara Benson, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.