New York, USA

What began as a personal celebration has evolved into an international journey through pageantry, fashion, wellness advocacy, and public speaking for Jazlynn Thomas.

Thomas first entered the Miss US Nation Pageant system as Miss Aurora US Nation 2026, stepping into modeling only weeks before receiving her inaugural title. Her introduction to the industry followed a milestone photoshoot she arranged for her 25th birthday—an experience that revealed an unexpected sense of confidence and belonging in front of the camera. Since then, her progression has been swift.

In March 2026, Thomas was crowned Miss Colorado US Nation during the Miss West Coast US Nation Pageant, where delegates representing several western states came together to compete. The achievement marked her transition from a local titleholder to a statewide representative and opened a new chapter in her growing career.

Her runway experience has expanded alongside her pageant journey. In February, Thomas made her mark at New York Fashion Week debut during the Super Chic New York Fashion Week showcase. Two months later, she traveled internationally to walk in Super Chic Toronto Fashion Week—her first international Fashion Week appearance, which resulted in her becoming an internationally published model, extending her visibility beyond the runway and introducing her to a broader fashion audience.

For Thomas, however, modeling represents more than presentation. She views it as a form of storytelling—one shaped through collaboration among models, designers, photographers, and other creative professionals. Her growing body of work reflects an interest in commercial, e-commerce, fitness, and active-lifestyle modeling, as well as a desire to continue pursuing opportunities throughout the United States and internationally.

Her development as a titleholder has also taken place beyond the competition stage. During the Miss Canada Nation Universe Pageant, Thomas was given the opportunity to serve as a host, allowing her to strengthen her skills in live presentation, audience engagement, and event leadership.

Each experience has helped reshape her understanding of what it means to wear a crown. Rather than viewing a title as a ceremonial distinction, Thomas approaches it as a working role—one that requires preparation, professionalism, visibility, and service.

That commitment is most evident through her platform, Accessible Wellness for Every Body and Mind.

As a yoga instructor who has worked with seniors and individuals with limited mobility, Thomas advocates for wellness programs that recognize different ages, abilities, backgrounds, and physical needs. Her experience teaching chair yoga has shown her how movement can help individuals rebuild confidence, reconnect with their bodies, and improve their overall well-being.

Her advocacy also challenges the exclusivity that can exist within traditional fitness and wellness spaces. Thomas believes meaningful wellness should not be reserved for those who already fit a particular image of health or physical ability. Instead, she promotes an approach grounded in accessibility, patience, emotional health, and individual progress.

That same philosophy influences how she views fashion and pageantry. Once hesitant to pursue modeling because she feared she did not fit the industry’s conventional mold, Thomas now considers authenticity one of her greatest strengths. She hopes her presence encourages other women to recognize that success does not require erasing the qualities that make them distinct.

She also rejects the misconception that women in pageantry must compete against one another beyond the stage. Her belief that one woman’s success can create space for others reflects the collaborative spirit she hopes to carry throughout her reign.

As Miss Colorado US Nation 2026, Thomas is continuing to balance her responsibilities as a titleholder, model, instructor, and advocate. Her path—from New York and Toronto Fashion Week, a statewide crown, and hosting on the national pageant stage—demonstrates how quickly a new direction can emerge when preparation meets opportunity.

Still early in her career, Thomas is building something larger than a collection of titles or runway appearances. Her journey is becoming a reflection of the values she represents: accessible wellness, authentic confidence, creative expression, and service to others.

For Jazlynn, the crown may be a visible symbol of achievement—but the purpose behind it remains the most important part of her story. The photo used in this article was taken by Models in Motion by JT.

Support Jazlynn and follow her on Instagram @jazlynnnicolemonroe.

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USA

For Brittany N. Smith stepping onto the runway is about far more than fashion. It is the visible expression of a transformation that began long before the lights, cameras, crowns, and sashes entered the picture.

Recently selected through a virtual casting to represent the title of Ms. Arizona US Nation, Brittany is preparing to advance to the Miss US Nation pageant this October.

Although she is relatively new to modeling, she has already begun building an impressive résumé. In July, she captured the title of Ms. Swimsuit Beauty International US Nation and has since been seen on the runway at Super Chic Miami Swim Fashion Week and Super Chic Montreal Fashion Week.

Her growing presence in modeling and pageantry follows a deeply personal journey marked by discipline, perseverance, and a decision to reclaim her confidence. After losing more than 100 pounds naturally, Brittany discovered a new sense of self-belief—and a desire to encourage others to recognize their own potential.

“Modeling has become a way for me to celebrate that journey and encourage others to embrace their own unique beauty,” she says. “For me, modeling is about much more than taking photos—it’s about telling a story of resilience, growth, and authenticity.”

Whether posing for a camera, or walking a runway, Brittany brings with her the perspective of someone who understands that transformation rarely happens overnight. Her accomplishments were built through consistency, difficult choices, and the determination to keep moving forward even when progress felt challenging.

That experience has shaped how she views beauty. Rather than treating it as a narrow physical ideal, Brittany sees beauty as something rooted in confidence, character, and the courage to be seen exactly as one is.

She believes the modeling industry is at its most powerful when it reflects a wider range of backgrounds, ages, body types, and lived experiences. To Brittany, every model carries a story capable of bringing a brand’s vision to life while also helping others feel represented.

“Beauty isn’t defined by one standard—it’s defined by authenticity,” she says.

It is an outlook that aligns naturally with her new role as Ms. Arizona US Nation 2026. Brittany does not regard her crown as simply an accessory or her sash as merely a title. She views both as symbols of leadership, integrity, and responsibility.

As she prepares for the national pageant in October, she hopes to use her title to create partnerships with brands and organizations that support confidence, health, and empowerment. She also wants to become a positive presence in her community and encourage people who may have quietly convinced themselves that certain dreams are no longer within reach.

Her message is especially meaningful because she has lived it herself: the past may shape a person, but it does not have to dictate what comes next.

“I want my story to remind others that their past does not define their future,” Brittany says. “True beauty is found in authenticity, kindness, and the confidence to be unapologetically yourself.”

That purpose extends beyond pageantry. Professionally, Brittany works in instructional design, creating learning experiences intended to help people grow and succeed. At first glance, instructional design and modeling may appear to occupy entirely different worlds. For Brittany, however, they are connected by a shared purpose: empowerment.

In one space, she helps people build knowledge and develop new skills. In the other, she uses her visibility to demonstrate what can happen when someone chooses courage over self-doubt. Whether she is developing educational programs, walking a runway, or volunteering in her community, she wants others to leave the experience believing more strongly in themselves.

Brittany is also eager to challenge the assumption that modeling and pageantry revolve exclusively around physical appearance. Presentation may be part of the experience, but she believes the qualities that truly distinguish a model or titleholder are intelligence, compassion, communication, leadership, and the ability to influence others positively.

“When people see me, I don’t want them to just see a gown or a photograph,” she explains. “I want them to see someone who is resilient, authentic, and committed to making a difference.”

As for which runways she hopes to conquer next, Brittany’s answer is refreshingly fearless: all of them.

It is an ambitious response, but one that feels entirely fitting for a woman whose life has already been transformed by refusing to limit herself. Her recent appearances at Super Chic Miami Swim Fashion Week and Super Chic Montreal Fashion Week have given her a taste of where modeling may lead, and she is ready to continue expanding her presence within the industry.

Looking five years ahead, Brittany envisions growth across every part of her life. She hopes to advance her career in instructional design, expand her modeling portfolio, and use her platform to advocate for confidence, resilience, and lifelong development. She would also like to mentor young women, encouraging them to pursue their goals without allowing fear or the pressure to be perfect to stand in their way.

Most importantly, she hopes to be remembered as someone who leads with integrity, serves with compassion, and uses her opportunities to uplift others.

Brittany’s crown may sparkle beneath the runway lights, but the most compelling part of her story cannot be measured in titles or appearances. It lies in the resolve that carried her through a life-changing personal journey—and in her willingness to turn that transformation into a source of encouragement for someone else.

Now, as Ms. Arizona US Nation and Ms. Swimsuit Beauty International US Nation, Brittany is not simply stepping into the spotlight. She is stepping fully into the woman she worked so hard to become. Photos in this article were taken by Joffre Madinya Photography. Support Brittany and follow her on Instagram @_bbrittany_.

Media Contact
Company Name: Miss US Nation Pageants
Contact Person: Media Relations
Email: [email protected]
Country: United States of America
Website: www.missusnationpageants.com
Instagram: @missusnationpageants
Photo Credits: Joffre Madinya Instagram @joffre_madinya_photography

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HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif

Elfia Design Studio, a Huntington Beach interior design and home staging company founded in 2018, today announced an expansion of its service area to include 12 additional Southern California cities, extending its reach across both Los Angeles and Orange counties.

The expansion adds the following markets to the studio’s existing footprint:

Orange County: Laguna Beach, Costa Mesa, Dana Point, Irvine, San Clemente, and Corona del Mar

Los Angeles County: Beverly Hills, Manhattan Beach, West Hollywood, Pacific Palisades, Malibu, and Santa Monica

These new markets join the studio’s established service areas, including Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Los Angeles, Pasadena, Culver City, Redondo Beach, Encino, and Sherman Oaks — bringing Elfia Design Studio’s total coverage to nearly 20 Southern California communities.

“We started this studio with a simple focus: help homes feel right, whether someone’s living in them or selling them,” said the founder of Elfia Design Studio. “As more homeowners and real estate agents across LA and Orange County started reaching out from outside our original service area, it made sense to formalize that growth. This expansion just reflects where our clients already are.”

Why the Expansion, Why Now

The growth comes as Southern California’s housing market continues to reward sellers who invest in presentation. Industry data has consistently shown that staged homes tend to sell faster and closer to — or above — asking price compared to unstaged listings, a trend that has only intensified as buyer expectations rise and listing photos increasingly determine whether a home gets a showing at all.

Elfia Design Studio offers a range of services across its expanded footprint, including:

• Residential interior design and space planning
• Interior decorating and color consultation
• Occupied home staging for sellers living in their homes during the listing process
• Vacant and luxury home staging for move-in-ready presentations
• Staging packages built specifically for real estate agents and their listings

The studio also offers a pay-at-closing option for staging services through its partnership with Notable, allowing sellers to invest in professional staging without upfront costs — a model designed to remove financial barriers for homeowners preparing to list.

Serving Clients In Person and Virtually

With the expanded service area, Elfia Design Studio now offers in-person consultations and design execution across the majority of coastal and metro Southern California, from Malibu in the north to San Clemente in the south. For homeowners and sellers outside this footprint, the studio continues to offer virtual design consultations available throughout California.

“Every neighborhood we work in has its own character, its own buyer pool, its own design language,” Elfia added. “Growing into these markets means we get to bring that same level of attention to a lot more homes.”

About Elfia Design Studio

Founded in 2018 and based in Huntington Beach, California, Elfia Design Studio provides interior design, interior decorating, and home staging services to homeowners, sellers, and real estate professionals across Los Angeles and Orange counties. The studio’s services include residential interior design, space planning, furniture selection, occupied and vacant home staging, luxury and model home staging, and staging packages tailored for real estate agents. Elfia Design Studio offers both in-person and virtual consultations, with a pay-at-closing staging option available through Notable.

For more information, visit www.elfiadesignstudio.com or call (310) 422-0883.

Media Contact:

Elfia Design Studio
[email protected]
(310) 422-0883

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