Kristi Wischnack – She’s Making Sure No Voice Is Left Behind (Elite Queen of the World 2024, Pageant Coach, United States)

"Pageantry isn’t just about crowns and gowns—it's about crowning confidence, empowering others, and leaving a legacy far beyond the stage."



Q.  Your journey from founding a pageant store to launching a makeup line is remarkable. What inspired you to venture into these businesses, and how have they influenced your role in the pageant community? 

I have been very blessed to have owned and ran many businesses during my adult life. After years of different ventures, I found what excited me and inspired me to wake up every day and call it a job or work. Pageantry has only helped guide me, but along the way I have been able to help women find their own paths for success. 

I feel that my role in the pageant community has guided many women not only by dressing them for success but by helping them see their own full potential. This includes on and off stage, helping some start their own businesses and being a mentor to many. 

I do not take the job of mentorship lightly; it is important to remember that each of us have our own journey but we need to bring people along with us. 

Q. Winning the Elite Queen of the World title is a significant achievement. Can you share the most memorable moment from the competition and what it meant to you personally? 

I feel very humbled and blessed to have won the Elite Queen of the World title in 2024. The most memorable moment from competition for me was during interview. One of the judges made the comment “they saved the best for last”.

Because I was Elite USA I was the final one interviewed during the competition. On finals night during our self-introductions, I looked at that judge and said “I was told they saved the best for last, Elite USA”. It was lighthearted, fun and showed that I have some quick whit to myself along with smarts. 

But on another side, I had several other moments that were so memorable. I got to compete alongside my very best friend and met another who I will forever consider my sister. Pageantry is so much more than gowns and heels. Competing and winning the Elite USA title and going on to the International pageant and winning there was remarkable. 

Standing on stage rooting for women I got to know and truly watched transform before my eyes. 

Q. Your collaboration with the DEA on fentanyl awareness is notable. Can you tell us more about the initiatives you’ve been involved in and the kind of impact they’ve had on the communities you reach? 

For me this is a personal collaboration. I lost my oldest son Zackery who was 28 at the time to fentanyl poisoning. It took me a little while, but I knew I had to do something to be the changed I hoped for other families. 

No parent should have to go through the pain and heartache mine did. Zack was an amazing young man who had his life cut short. Working with the DEA has allowed me to share our story, help others, learn about the crisis our country really faces and connect with so many others who have been through the same loss. 

In 2024 I was honored to attend the Family Summit and share our story and learn about what our local DEA and the surrounding 5 states are doing to try and reduce the loss. I have been interviewed many times by our local news station about the fentanyl crisis and the lack of free Narcan (or the education about it). 

I will forever be an advocate for those who can no longer tell their story and I will also always support other families who suffer from addiction. I want to be one who helps change the negative stereotypical thought of addiction and educate everyone I can about fentanyl and the risks. 

Q. The pageant world has evolved over the years. From your perspective, how has it changed, and what positive shifts have you observed in terms of inclusivity and empowerment? 

Yes, the pageant world has evolved in the last 10 years since I started competing regularly. Unfortunately, I do not feel it is all for the good. I think we have some great directors/systems out there, and some not-so-great ones who bring negativity and chaos to the pageant arena. 

We as contestants, need to be sure to look carefully and do our own due diligence to ensure we are supporting sound and ethical systems. But, on the positive side, there are many to choose from so finding the right pageant for the right person isn’t as hard as it seems. 

Being sure to find a system that supports your visions, platform and aligns with your beliefs. I think when you talk about inclusivity there really is a pageant for everyone. Empowerment in pageantry really isn’t about the pageant empowering you, it’s about using your title to empower those around you helping them see their dreams. 

Q. Launching a makeup line tailored for pageant contestants fills a unique niche. What challenges did you face while developing it, and how did you ensure the products meet the specific needs of your clientele? 

Crowning Beauty makeup and skin care line was a 2-year collaboration with my best friend Donna-Marie who is also a pageant contestant and esthetician. We wanted a skin care line and makeup line for both everyday use and on stage. 

We worked to create the perfect pallet combinations for all skin types and colors. We tested many varieties of cleansers, lipsticks, glosses, eyeshadows, powders and more before coming up with our perfect line. It was a labor of love and work but one we are both very proud of. 

Q. If you were to design a “Kristi Wischnack” challenge for future pageant contestants—one that reflects your values and strengths—what would it involve, and what do you hope they’d learn from it? 

This is a fun question. I would defiantly say my challenge would be to show me in 5 minutes or less, who you are. This could be through verbal or physical challenges. 

I think the mind is a wonderful thing but learning how to talk about yourself in a positive manner to a room full of people is not always easy. Once you understand it’s your time, a safe space and how to talk from your heart, the pageant stage is yours to win on. 

I would encourage every woman who competes to remember these three things and show the world who they are, not who they think they should be. Authenticity goes so much further than trying to be someone you are not. I would hope that through this process each person would learn how to express themselves in a positive and fun way.

Bio

Kristi is not just a 6 time International titleholder; she is a force of nature, a beacon of strength and grace that shines brightly on and off the international stage. When she graces the runway, her presence commands attention, exuding a rare blend of elegance, confidence, and charisma that captivates hearts and minds.

Hailing from a background steeped in resilience and determination, Kristi's journey to the crown was no ordinary path. Her unwavering commitment to excellence, coupled with a passion for advocacy and empowerment, set her apart as a true role model and inspiration to women around the globe.

Kristi embodies the essence of beauty with a purpose. Her platform transcends mere aesthetics, delving deep into the realms of community service, philanthropy, and social impact. Through her tireless efforts to raise awareness about critical issues such as the fentanyl crisis, she has become a voice for the voiceless, a champion for the vulnerable, and a beacon of hope for those in need.

But beyond the glitz and glamour of the pageant world, Kristi's life is a tapestry woven with threads of love, resilience, and unwavering dedication. As a mother, grandmother, entrepreneur, and advocate, she wears many hats with grace and poise, juggling the demands of family life with the responsibilities of her advocacy work.

Kristi's journey serves as a testament to the transformative power of one woman's unwavering spirit and dedication to making a difference. Her story is a shining example of strength in the face of adversity, compassion in the midst of chaos, and grace under pressure.

In Kristi, we find not just a queen, but a true leader - a woman who leads with her heart, empowers with her words, and inspires with her actions. Kristi's legacy of impact and influence will endure, shaping hearts, minds, and lives for generations to come.

From the glitzy world of pageantry to the gritty reality of advocacy and activism, Kristi stands as a beacon of hope and light, reminding us all that true beauty lies not just in outward appearances but in the depth of one's character, the resilience of one's spirit, and the unwavering commitment to making the world a better place for all.

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Interviewed By Irene Elina Eldhose