Former Miss Kentucky Looks to Turn Her Life Around After Smuggling Drugs to Boyfriend in Prison

A pageant queen once crowned Miss Kentucky says she is "remorseful" about smuggling drugs to her then-boyfriend in prison.

Kia Hampton, a talented dancer and singer from Louisville, competed in the 2011 Miss USA competition. While she didn't win the top prize, she was named Miss Congeniality.

But she has since been arrested for sneaking marijuana into an Ohio state prison to her then-boyfriend, Jeremy Kelly, who is a convicted drug trafficker. She pleaded not guilty, but later changed her plea to no contest. She was sentenced to three years' probation.

"I do feel that I ruined my life," she said in the courtroom.

Hampton, 28, shared the story of her fall from grace with Inside Edition. She arrived at the interview wearing her sash and crown.

"I wear this crown because it was an accomplishment, one of the biggest accomplishments I've ever achieved," she said. 

Inside Edition's Les Trent asked, "You're beautiful; you're talented — why would you risk all of that to bring drugs to your boyfriend?"

She said, "That's literally the question I ask myself. I kick myself saying, 'Why are doing this?' But this is someone who I loved... but it's blinders on when you're in that situation, in a relationship wanting to do everything for the people that you love."

She said she will never get back with her now-ex-boyfriend and hopes to be an example of what not to do for love.

"I'm very much... remorseful," she said.

Hampton must also complete 80 hours of community service and pay a $2,500 fine.

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