August 2015 Cover Model Elizabeth Smith
Animals, Bikinis, Traveling, & What Makes My Heart Skip A Beat
After competing for almost a week straight at the Tropic Beauty World Finals in Sin City, among 100 other hopeful contestants from all around the world, I was crowned as Miss Tropic Beauty 2014! My eyes filled up with tears and I remember covering my mouth in shock and disbelief. I was overcome with emotion. There were just so many gorgeous models with amazing personalities that I was in no circumstance to feel secure in winning the whole pageant so I never once felt entitled. It was one of the greatest moments of my life and has opened so many doors for me. … I’m living the dream, getting to travel around the world … hosting the best of VIP events … shooting for well-known brands and even television shows, and hanging out with some of the coolest celebrities and most beautiful women in the world! – Elizabeth Smith, Miss Tropic Beauty 2014
Say hello to your August 2015 Kandy Magazine cover model Elizabeth Smith.
Elizabeth’s 411
Where are you from originally?
I was born in San Diego then spent my first few years as a child in Italy and eventually my family moved back to the states where I continued to grow up as a Floridian.
What is your family heritage?
I’m quite the mix … as I have some Russian, Irish, Spanish, and Latino blood in me.
What’s the greatest thing about your hometown?
The chill, calm lifestyle of the Florida locals. You get your awesome southern hospitality mixed with a cool vibe of fun, loving people.
Guys
What do you look for in a guy?
There are three things I look for in a man: he must have passion and motivation somewhere in his life, he has to be able to handle my sarcasm as well as dish it back, AND he has to have a nice smile that makes me blush (which isn’t easy to do).
Are there any traits that shoot a guy down before he utters a word?
Smoking and being rude. Both are my two biggest turn-off’s when it comes to anyone.
Share with us a memorable date.
Well, the most memorable date I’ve had actually lasted a couple weeks, as it was very intricately planned out. I flew to visit someone that I had been dating long distance for some time and knew very little of his culture and hometown so I would randomly say little things that I’d like to do when I got there; not knowing that he was creating a list of all these wishes I had. When I finally arrived he had created an incredible “Elizabeth Smith Scavenger Hunt” where he’d take me to each activity location, handing me a little piece of paper that listed out one of the wishes I had mentioned until we completed all of them. It was so incredibly romantic, thoughtful and fed my desire for spontaneity.
Talking Tropic Beauty
Have you always entered swimsuit and beauty pageants or was this your first competition?
Believe it or not, this was my first ever pageant! A great friend of mine had been convincing me for almost a year to compete in Tropic Beauty but my fear of failure always held me back from entering. On 5/14/2014, I had a little epiphany on the choices we make and what those choices do to shape our lives…
.. So, I entered the next Tropic Beauty contest and look what happened, I won the whole thing! Funny how life works when we start living it.
Were there talent as well as question and interview segments?
It’s definitely not like your typical Miss America pageant when it comes to talent and interview segments. Ladies don’t have to have a talent (unless you consider looking good in a bikini a talent, which some do. I mean it’s a talent if you can stay away from carbs for week’s straight … ha-ha!). And, there is no specific interview segment for the competitors BUT … everything these models say and do is under surveillance 24-7 for each competition, especially at World Finals. Tropic Beauty isn’t just trying to find another beautiful face (if they were then it would be a tie among many) but they closely watch how these ladies interact with guests, clients, sponsors, and even each other. The Queen must be sociable, fun, appreciative and able to hold herself in busy situations, all while having a good attitude as some days can be very demanding with events and appearances, starting from early morning till late at night.
How many models did you compete against in the finals?
There were 100 total models in the World Finals. All completely different in height, looks, personality, and even culture.
What was the most memorable moment from your reign?
Winning! But that’s an obvious answer. The best and most memorable experience from my reign was getting to ride the fin of a shark in Bora-Bora! It was a prize I had won during World Finals to be apart of the reality television show called “Bikini Destinations” where a team of top bikini models get to explore the most extravagant and breathtaking locations around the world. I’ve always had shark-diving on my bucket list but never imagined I’d be crossing off shark-riding first! It was a surreal moment in my life and one I’ll never forget.
By our recollection, you are the second or third Tropic Beauty model to appear in Kandy but the first on the cover. We may need to get all you ladies together for a special edition dedicated to the women of Tropic Beauty. What do you think of that idea?
Uh…YEAH!!!! More girls the merrier! (Insert huge smile, two thumbs up, and lots of head nodding)
In your opinion, what’s the biggest misconception of swimsuit models?
That we don’t eat bad foods. If anything that’s probably the least bit true, we get the munchies too! I mean we do need energy to squat, don’t we?? Lol
What are your future modeling plans?
As of right now I feel very fortunate to be where I am; it didn’t come without hard work and had you asked me 5 years ago what I’d be doing, I’d never imagine this would be it. So, to answer your question, I really have no idea what my plans are or what my future holds but I assure you I will continue to keep knocking walls down and pushing myself and my career forward without limitations.
Has winning the title opened up new doors for me in the industry be it for other modeling opportunities, tv/film, etc…? Absolutely! I have met and created such great business connections through Tropic Beauty. Everything from modeling multi-million dollar jewelry in Beverly Hills to celebrating birthdays with world famous DJ’s on Vegas rooftops to even making native flower headbands in Tahiti with local islanders! It’s been nothing but non-stop opportunities and I’m so grateful for each and every one of them.
Your Best Friend
What words would your best friend use to describe you?
Loving, goofy, and sometimes mind wondering!
How would your best friend describe your taste in men?
That I probably like too many flavors. hahah
Don’t know if you know this or not but one way guys figure out if they have a chance at dating a gorgeous woman, such as yourself, is by her circle of friends. And, if he gets close enough, by her best friend. (Guy Code 101). So, with that inside information, what would you say is the biggest difference between you and your best friend when it comes to…
Men: I don’t put up with bullshit. I know very soon if I’m interested in you or not. I don’t need to date for months to figure that out.
Money: Money is absolute, not relative. Learning how to put aside our need to compare and just be happy with what we have can give us a greater sense of peace in life.
Dating: I rarely date. I’m never in one spot too long when it comes to my work so it makes having a relationship unattainable or unrealistic. But if a strong man comes into my life and is able to help balance my traveling with romance then I can easily change that first statement… but that is few and far between.
Social Activities: “Social Activities” to me means watching movies, practicing yoga, or just lounging around my house in my onesie; there’s nothing very social about me when I’m home in Florida! It’s a different story when I’m traveling for work or pleasure though because I love to go out and hit up the best spots with my girlfriends, whether that is lounges, restaurants, tourist attractions, or shopping (I had to throw that in here at least once, right?).
Cars: Well, a little secret of mine is that I love racing, whether it’s F1, MotoGP, or even NHRA. Anything that makes my heart skip a beat and scares the girl out of me… I’ll take it.
Travel: Traveling! I love to travel and explore new worlds, cultures, and foods. In the past couple of months I was fortunate enough to visit Bora-Bora, South of France, and Barcelona, sometimes for work but mostly for fun! Getting my passport stamped is like a badge of honor for me.
Animals: I am a full-time sucker for dogs!! I grew up having 7 doggies… they’re what makes me feel the happiest in my life. I travel too much now to own my own little pup but one day and one day soon I will have a little sidekick with me!
Bikinis: What are bikinis? … Oh, you mean my daily wardrobe.
5-Year Plan: I’ve never been the person to have a 5 or even 10-year plan. My objective and goals in life has always been simple. I just want to be happy with whatever I’m doing … and, of course, if I make money while doing it then so be it. lol
Follow Elizabeth Online:
Instagram: @IAmElizabethSmith
Facebook: /TheElizabethSmith