August 8, 2025 #1 Local News, Information and Event Source for the Century City/Westwood areas.

Miss California: LMU Junior Represents Santa Monica and Takes Coveted Crown

By Evelyn Taylor

 

Charismatic, confident, and glamorous, 20-year-old India Williams represents the state as Miss California USA 2017, as well as Miss Santa Monica 2017. Williams, an only child, was born and raised in Lafayette, California. Although she has devoted a great deal of time to pageantry, Williams is more than a pretty face beneath a sash. Now a junior at Loyola Marymount University (LMU), Williams is passionate about studying business and using her title as a platform for advocating her entrepreneurial beliefs.

At a young age, Williams was signed with modeling agency Stars Model Management in San Francisco and participated in various runway shows and campaigns, which inspired her transition to pageantry. Williams was captain of the varsity cheerleading squad at Acalanes High School in Lafayette, and described her high school experience as good preparation for LMU.

She began her journey in pageantry by reading online about the Miss California Teen USA pageant in 2014, and decided to enter. Although she did not place that year or the following year, Williams said she enjoyed the process of making friends and trying something new.

“I felt like it was going to be a good experience for me, so I went with it,” Williams told The Mirror. “It was definitely a tough road to finally win [Miss California USA], but it feels really rewarding.”

Williams then moved on to compete in the Miss Santa Monica pageant, working with director Kirsten Bradford, who is responsible for coaching the past four Miss California USA’s (including Williams) and runs a coaching service in Santa Monica.

During her competition phase in Santa Monica, Williams spent time walking by the beach and eating at local restaurants, particularly Del Frisco’s Grille (her favorite) on Ocean Avenue.

“They’re so supportive every time I go in there, they’re very sweet, and they’ll bring me a dessert or something for being Miss Santa Monica,” Williams said. “I was really trying to be a part of the community since that was the city that I was representing.”

Following her victory in Santa Monica, Williams struck gold at the Miss California USA pageant. She participated in a three-part competition, the first being an interview by a panel of judges (followed by swimsuit and evening gown competitions.) Williams said her skills lie in the interview component.

“I gave them insight into my personality and what I could bring to the table, so I think that was definitely my strongest part of the competition,” Williams said.

In addition to preparing for the approaching Miss USA pageant over the summer, Williams is nurturing her entrepreneurial interests at LMU as well as outside of school. She credits her parents, who own their own company, for passing along the “entrepreneurial bug.” In spring 2016, she volunteered with the Incubator School, a public school in Los Angeles that promotes teaching entrepreneurial skills to middle school students.

“Something I’m really passionate about is bringing entrepreneurship to a younger audience,” Williams said. “I really think it’s important to teach children that there’s a way to make a living for themselves and be self-sufficient and independent.”

 

SMS-MissCA11317B

Related Posts

Full Moon Frights at Cinespia: Vampires, Werewolves, and a Night Under the Stars

August 8, 2025

August 8, 2025

Double Feature Coincides With Rare Celestial Triple Event Cinespia invites fans of horror comedy classics will gather under the glow...

Xenomorphs Hit Hollywood: FX Launches Global ‘Alien: Earth’ Hunt Ahead of Series Premiere

August 8, 2025

August 8, 2025

Fans Can Track “Crash-Site” Crates in LA for Instant Prizes, Photo Ops, and Sweepstakes FX is bringing the world of...

Glorya Kaufman, Dance, Arts and Health Philanthropist Who Transformed L.A.’s Landscape, Dies at 95

August 8, 2025

August 8, 2025

From Culver City, Brentwood, UCLA, USC, and Downtown LA, Her Generosity was Legendary Glorya Kaufman, a transformative benefactor to the...

Overnight Lane Closures Set for I-405 Through Sepulveda Pass Next Week

August 7, 2025

August 7, 2025

Caltrans to Close Multiple Northbound and Southbound Lanes Nightly  Caltrans will implement overnight lane closures along Interstate 405 in the...

Levain Bakery Lands in Beverly Hills with Cookies, Swag, and a Sweet Surprise

August 7, 2025

August 7, 2025

Newest Location’s Debut Includes Limited-Edition Flavor, Early-Bird Giveaways Levain Bakery will mark the opening of its newest location in Beverly...

Bistro Blue’s One Night Only Seasonal Menu Pops Up at Little City Farms August 10

August 6, 2025

August 6, 2025

Chef Kara Vorabutr’s Garden Dinner Promises to be a Seasonal Showstopper Bistro Blue, a pop-up concept by Chef Kara Vorabutr,...

Cardinale du Vin’s Weekend Izakaya Pop-Up Blends Thai Flavors and Japanese Dishes

August 6, 2025

August 6, 2025

Three Nights Only: Thai-Japanese Fusion Menu Launched in Pico-Robertson Cardinale du Vin is unveiling a special izakaya-inspired menu this weekend,...

Santa Monica’s Chez Jay Celebrates 66 Years with Retro Bash by the Beach

August 6, 2025

August 6, 2025

Landmark Restaurant Celebrates With Classic Cars, Live Music, Celebrity Lore One of Los Angeles County’s most storied restaurants will mark...

Film Review: Weapons

August 6, 2025

August 6, 2025

By Dolores Quintana You might be asking yourself what the film Weapons is about. Not to worry, writer and director...

Classic Rock Tribute Takes Center Stage at Beverly Hills Summer Series, Concerts on Canon

August 5, 2025

August 5, 2025

Rod Lightning and the Thunderbolts of Love Bring High-Energy Hits to the Stage The City of Beverly Hills continues its...

Trial Date Set for Alleged ‘Ketamine Queen’ in Matthew Perry’s Death

August 5, 2025

August 5, 2025

Woman Accused in Matthew Perry’s Overdose to Face Jury The woman accused of supplying the fatal dose of ketamine that...

DUI Suspect Identified and Charged in Crash That Killed 9-Year-Old, Injured Brother

August 5, 2025

August 5, 2025

RV Driver to Face Serious Felony Charges After Striking Boys Riding E-Scooter The 46-year-old man who was allegedly driving under...

Late-Night Traffic Stop in L.A. Lands Rap Star Soulja Boy Back in Legal Spotlight

August 5, 2025

August 5, 2025

Rapper Taken Into Custody During Early Morning Traffic Stop Rapper Soulja Boy was taken into custody early Sunday after Los...

Deadly Crosswalk Hit and Run in West Adams, Victim Hit Multiple Times and Left to Die

August 4, 2025

August 4, 2025

Police Seek Public Help to Identify Three Drivers Who Struck and Killed a Pedestrian  Detectives with the Los Angeles Police...

Brentwood Bookstore Welcomes a Hollywood Insider and Secret Service Agent for a Night of Noir

August 4, 2025

August 4, 2025

Tinseltown Thrills Meet Real-Life Intrigue With Author of To Live and Die in LA Diesel, A Bookstore will host a...