Daily Mail
Pageant queen Chelsi Smith, who took the crowns of Miss USA and Miss Universe in 1995, has died after a battle with liver cancer, age 45.
Chelsi competed in her first pageant, Miss Texas in 1994, becoming the first biracial woman to win the title.
Actress and reality star Shanna Moakler, 43, who was her runner up in the Miss USA Pageant, remembered her friend in a touching tribute she shared on Instagram along with a collage of snaps.
'Her light was so big and so bright, she changed my life,' Shanna wrote. 'If it wasn’t for her, her beauty and her energy, her incredible destiny, I wouldn’t even be where I am today.
'Even when she was sick she was positive and radiant and never stopped laughing.
'I am heartbroken. Godspeed beautiful...I love and will miss you more then you will ever know. The epitome of a Queen.'
Chelsi posted her last photo on Instagram on April 4 and fans immediately began leaving their condolences to the beauty queen on Sunday.
justalaina22 wrote: 'Rest in paradise #queen thank u for continued mold breaking for young mixed girls like me in #Texas and all around the world. U are and always will be MY #missuniverse.'
The Miss Universe organization also sent its 'sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Chelsi Smith, Miss USA and Miss Universe 1995.'
Chelsi traveled to Namibia to compete in the Miss Universe Pageant where she won the crown, becoming the first woman from the U.S. to do so in 15 years.
After the pageants, her Model Mayhem profile says she starred in commercials for brands including Hawaiian Tropic and Venus Swimwear.
The beautiful brunette released a single, Dom Da Da, which appeared in the movie The Sweetest Thing in 2002.
Chelsi also had small roles in Playas Ball in 2003 and TV series Due South in 1996.
