LOS ANGELES: Japanese pageant coach was crowned Miss Asia USA-America 2025 and also awarded the International Global Ambassador and Best In Evening Gown titles after shining among 37 other contestants at the Miss Asia USA pageant that was hosted by the Virgelia Productions on 16th November 2024 at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center in Los Angeles, USA.
Emily Smith, who has a diverse background being half Japanese and half Welsh, as well as having lived in three different locations: Japan, Malaysia, and Hawaii, has always been a smart, shining girl that has made a number of great achievements at a young age.
Sharing her background and achievements with M World News, she said, “I obtained my undergraduate degree in Communications from the University of Hawaii at the age of 19, then completed my master’s degree from the University of Southern California with a degree in Communication Management at the age of 21.”
“After my education, I pursued a career in marketing and communications, where I was a digital media specialist at Hawaii Magazine—a world-renowned travel publication. Following my job as a digital media specialist, I decided to take the leap of faith and started my own pageant coaching business called Elevated Pageant Coaching. Elevated Pageant Coaching was founded on my eight years of pageant experience and numerous titles won (including Miss Asia USA-America, Miss Hawaii Collegiate, Miss Hawaii Jr. Teen, and more),” she added.
Why did you enter to compete in this system, Virgelia?
I decided to compete under the Virgelia Productions system because I wanted to be more intone with my Asian heritage, as well as learn about other people’s cultures. The pageantry motivates us to engage in each other’s cultures through activities such as cultural potluck gatherings and the national costume phase of competition. Throughout this experience, I was able to connect with my culture by meeting other Japanese delegates and wearing my national costume, which was a kimono designed by Sueko Oshimoto, the designer who worked on the Emmy awarded show, Shogun.
Why do you want this crown?
I wanted this crown because I wanted to be the representative of the young women around the world, specifically those who are from Japan and Hawaii. This opportunity gave me the chance to showcase my Japanese culture on a global scale and get more people invested to learn about Japanese culture. In addition to this, a delegate from Hawaii has never captured the title under Virgelia Productions, making me the first person in the 36-year history of this pageant from Hawaii that won a title. This representation is important because it shows people that regardless of where you are from, you can achieve your wildest dreams as long as you have dedication and are persistent.
What will you do after being awarded this crown?
Now that I am awarded with this crown I want to continue expanding my business, Elevated Pageant Coaching, on a global scale. My mission with my pageant coaching services is to help young women become more confident and learn essential skills inside of pageantry and out.
I found my greater purpose in helping women become the best versions of themselves. During my coaching sessions, I go over essential tips such as how to interview, how to walk in heels, how to carry yourself with grace, and more. My approach to my coaching sessions is to not only equip my girls with the confidence to shine on the pageant stage but also to make an everlasting impression on people in their daily lives. I hope to continue to leave an impact on this world by encouraging more young women to be assertive and self-assured.
Moreover, the true duty of a pageant queen is to use their platform to serve their community. As a new titleholder, I want to go out into my community and help people and animals in need, all while raising awareness on vital issues and invigorating people to do the same.
What is your greatest accomplishment to date?
My greatest accomplishment to date would be graduating with my master’s degree from the University of Southern California at just 21 years old. This was my greatest achievement because not only was I a full-time student, I was also working full time as a Digital Media Specialist and fulfilling my duties as a pageant coach. This accomplishment is one of my greatest, not only because I was able to graduate from a prestigious school at a young age, but because I proved to myself that anything is possible as long as you work hard for it.
Who is your greatest role model?
I do not have one single role model that I can list; however, I would say that my role models would be all my clients that I coach. All of my clients that I have taken in for pageant coaching have been my role models due to their strength, perseverance, and hard work. There were some days, and even weeks, where I felt many struggles and conflicts as I was competing for Miss Asia USA. However, I was able to look at the girls that I was coaching and use them as an inspiration to continue pushing forward and fighting for my dreams.
Which celebrity do you look up to?
The celebrity that I look up to is Audrey Hepburn. I admire how she carried herself with such grace and elegance. However, above all, I loved how she used her large platform to spread the message of social justice and be a spokesperson for organizations such as UNICEF. As a pageant queen and pageant coach, I use her as an example to always have humility and speak up for what is right.
What are your three greatest attributes?
My three greatest attributes would be my love for learning, my loyalty to those around me, and my ability to stay determined despite struggles or failures.
Do you have any plans for the future?
My plans for the future would be to continue my pageant coaching business but on a global scale. I would not only like to coach girls globally but also offer my services through courses and programs that are accessible to anyone no matter where they live, what age they are, or their experience levels.
Who inspired you and supported you in your pageantry journey?
My mom inspires me and supports me a lot in my pageant journey. My mom is initially the one who put me into the world of pageantry, and I am grateful that she did that because I was able to grow myself and meet other inspiring women. My mom has never missed attending any of my pageants, and during my journey to the Miss Asia USA crown, my mom flew up with me to California every weekend from Hawaii for our rehearsals.
