Crowned & Candid: The Realities of Resilience with Miss Ohio 2024, Stephanie Finoti

Introduction

Behind the sparkle of the crown lies a story of grit, grace, and growth. In this special Fearlessly Authentic feature, Raeanna Johnson sits down with Miss Ohio 2024, Stephanie Finoti, to have a real and raw conversation about the realities of being a titleholder; from imposter syndrome and resilience to purpose, self-care, and faith. Stephanie’s year as Miss Ohio has been one of deep transformation, and her vulnerability offers wisdom for anyone walking through their own season of challenge or change.

---

Q&A with Miss Ohio 2024, Stephanie Finoti

Q: Stephanie, for those who may not know you yet, can you share a little about who you are outside of pageantry?

Stephanie: I’m Miss Ohio 2024, but beyond the crown, I’m a biomedical scientist. I graduated from the University of Cincinnati and work in fetal therapy with mothers and premature babies. I’m also a proud first-generation American. My parents are immigrants from Brazil, and I grew up in a low-income community. That upbringing shaped me. It taught me resilience, grit, and the value of hard work. My journey hasn’t been easy, but I’ve learned to turn my struggles into my superpower.

---

Q: You’ve been open about the challenges you’ve faced. How did you overcome those early feelings of self-doubt or imposter syndrome?

Stephanie: My life has always been about people underestimating me – being a minority, being a woman, growing up poor. I had to work harder and find creative ways to make things happen. When I was eight, my mom and I cleaned our dance studio in exchange for lessons. That experience taught me that when you face barriers, you have a choice: let them stop you or overcome them.

When I became Miss Ohio, imposter syndrome hit hard. I remember thinking, I have to convince people I deserve this. But eventually, I realized I couldn’t convince anyone until I convinced myself. Once I accepted that I was enough, flaws and all, that’s when I started truly growing into the role.

---

Q: You mentioned learning to flip your story, turning struggle into strength. Can you expand on that?

Stephanie: Absolutely. For a long time, I carried the weight of my circumstances like it was something to hide. But over time, I realized those experiences are my power. Storytelling became my tool for transformation. Instead of saying, “Look what happened to me,” I started saying, “Look how this shaped me.” Now I use my story to remind others that their circumstances don’t define them, their choices do.

---

Q: Many women feel that once they earn a title, they have to live up to impossible standards. How did you balance excellence with self-grace?

Stephanie: That’s a huge lesson I had to learn. A woman I met early in my year told me, “Don’t strive for perfection – strive for excellence, because in excellence there’s always room for growth.” That changed everything.

Being Miss Ohio doesn’t mean being flawless. It means learning, growing, and rising after mistakes. I stumbled over speeches, had wardrobe malfunctions, got sick, and faced burnout, but what defines you is how you rise.

Even Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles takes rest days and “bed rots” with snacks and TV. That reminded me that even the strongest women need rest. We can’t pour from an empty cup.

---

Q: You made Miss Ohio your full-time job. What did the business side of the crown look like for you?

Stephanie: It was eye-opening. In Ohio, we don’t have a booking manager, everything is self-run. I had to learn to market myself, find sponsors, make cold calls, negotiate, and schedule my own appearances. The beginning was slow, but once I started connecting with organizations like the American Heart Association, everything grew from there.

At first, I didn’t charge for appearances because I wanted to focus on service and visibility. But as the year went on, I learned to value my time and charge appropriately for larger keynotes or professional events. That was part of my growth – learning to be both servant-hearted and business-minded.

---

Q: You’ve spoken about faith and answered prayers. How has faith shaped your journey?

Stephanie: My prayer the night I was crowned was, “God, I don’t feel ready, but if this is your plan, equip me.” And He did.

Throughout the year, I’ve seen so many prayers answered – even ones I didn’t realize I prayed. My community rallied behind me with emotional and financial support, especially before Miss America. That experience reminded me I don’t have to do everything alone. Sometimes strength means asking for help.

---

Q: You were in a serious car accident during your year. How did you navigate something so traumatic while carrying the responsibilities of your role?

Stephanie: That accident was one of the hardest moments of my life. It happened just weeks before Miss America, and it shook my confidence. I had to cancel appearances, rest, and work through fear and trauma.

But I chose to believe there was purpose in it. It showed me how much I needed my village (my directors, my family, my supporters) and how strong I really was. I decided that if I could overcome that, I could handle anything. That mindset carried me through Miss America and beyond.

---

Q: After Miss America, you mentioned facing burnout. What did healing and recovery look like?

Stephanie: True burnout hit me for the first time after Miss America. I was sick constantly, exhausted, and mentally drained. I had to pause and say, “I need to rest so I can finish strong.”

Taking that break in February was hard. I felt guilty. But I realized if I wanted to pour into others, I had to fill my own cup first. That month of self-care gave me new energy and clarity. It taught me to treat myself with the same compassion I give others.

---

Q: As you close your year, what message do you want to leave for women chasing their dreams, whether it’s a crown or any goal?

Stephanie: What will be, will be. The outcome is already written. You are enough right now – not once you achieve the goal, not once you feel ready, but right now.

Your fears are smaller than your purpose. You have everything you need within you to overcome what’s standing in your way. And when life gets hard, don’t hide your vulnerability; that’s where your true strength comes from.

---

Fearlessly Authentic Takeaway

Stephanie’s honesty is a breath of fresh air in a world that often glamorizes the crown. Her journey reminds us that resilience isn’t taught, it’s lived. It’s in the cleaning of mirrors to afford a dream, the quiet prayers whispered in fear, the courage to rest, and the grace to rise again.

Whether you’re walking across a stage or simply walking through a hard season, remember: you don’t have to be perfect – just fearlessly authentic.