Taryn Delanie Smith
Taryn Delanie Smith (born 3 January 1997) is an African-American beauty pageant competitor and TikToker. In 2022 she was named first runner-up in the Miss America competition.

Early life and education 
Smith was raised in Seattle, Washington, where she experienced housing insecurity as a child. 

She attended St. John's University, where she earned a Bachelor's in communication studies and a Master's in International Communication & Intercultural Studies. She worked as a receptionist at a call center to finance her education.

Pageants 
Smith was first inspired to participate in pageants during a talent show in high school, when one of her teachers suggested she compete for Miss America. She began competing at age 17, and placed as a runner-up for the Miss Washington title in 2017.

Smith was named Miss New York 2022. She was the first Black Miss New York to be crowned while wearing her natural hair. For her advocacy work in the role, Smith focused on initiatives to assist those experiencing homelessness. She was the first runner-up in the Miss America competition in December 2022.

Online presence 
Smith began posting on TikTok in 2021. In March 2023 Smith posted a video where she played Denise, a receptionist in Heaven, which quickly went viral. She continued to focus on sketches about Denise and her job.  she had gained 1.2 million followers.

Personal life 
Smith lives in New York City.

References 

1990s births
American TikTokers
Miss America 2010s delegates
People from Seattle
Comedians from New York City
21st-century African-American women
21st-century American women
21st-century American comedians
African-American female comedians
American women comedians
Comedians from Washington (state)
St. John's University (New York City) alumni
Miss New York winners
Living people