Annika Wooton, Miss Kansas 2019 and 2020, turned her pageant talent into a full-fledged career on some of the biggest stages in the country. From painting Ruth Bader Ginsburg live at Miss America to halftime shows with Travis Kelce and the WNBA, Annika has become one of the nation’s most captivating performance painters.

In this episode, she shares how seven years of competing, a pandemic-era reign, and even a few onstage disasters prepared her to take bold risks in her career. Annika opens up about trusting timing, building a business as an artist, navigating a very niche industry, and encouraging the next generation of creatives to step forward.

This is a story about saying yes to the unknown. Annika is proof that the arts are not only a passion, but can also be a powerful profession.

You can follow Annika on IG @annikawooton

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