Biography
Who is Elyse Umemoto?
Early life and education
Elyse Umemoto grew up in Wapato, Washington. She lived there with her mother Luana Lumley and step-father Francis LameBull. Her three younger sisters are Lauren, Cheyne, and Shelian LameBull. Her father Gary Umemoto resided in Seattle. Elyse attended Wapato High School and graduated in 2001. While there, she played tennis and soccer. She also served as a cheerleader. Later, she went to Pacific Lutheran University. She earned degrees in political science and psychology.
Pageant success
Elyse entered her first beauty pageant as Miss Pierce County 2006. She won that title and became the first runner-up for Miss Washington 2006. In 2007, she won Miss Seattle and then the Miss Washington crown. She represented the state at Miss America 2008. Her talent performance featured the song Angels by Robbie Williams. Her platform focused on empowering women and embracing diversity.
Elyse Umemoto finished as the second runner-up in the national competition. This result tied the highest finish for any Miss Washington delegate. She received a 20,000 dollar scholarship. She also earned 10,000 dollars for her ranking on the show Miss America: Reality Check.
Personal challenges
In the spring of 2008, Elyse revealed she suffered domestic violence. An ex-boyfriend assaulted her at her home in Tacoma. She reported this to the Pierce County Sheriff's Department. The man accepted a domestic violence charge and received community service. Later, TMZ published leaked photos of her. These images showed her playing college drinking games while wearing her crown. She held a press conference to apologize for the suggestive hand gestures. She explained the photos were stolen from her private collection. Pageant officials decided not to punish her.
Career and Survivor
After her time as Miss Washington, Elyse moved to Las Vegas, Nevada. She worked as a manager for a dance team. In 2011, she joined the cast of Survivor: South Pacific. This was the 23rd season of the series. She started on the Savaii tribe with Ozzy Lusth. She formed an alliance with Lusth, Whitney Duncan, Keith Tollefson, and Jim Rice.
Jim Rice and John Cochran plotted to remove her. She survived one vote on Day 11. However, Dawn Meehan helped Rice and Cochran blindside her on Day 14. Elyse Umemoto went to Redemption Island. She competed against Christine Shields-Markoski in a shuffleboard game. She lost the duel and finished the game in 15th place.
Birthday and age
Elyse Umemoto was born on May 10, 1984, which makes Elyse 42 years old today. That birthday falls under the Taurus sign. Elyse shares the date with 38 other famous people.
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