Candace Smith is one of 16 castaways aiming to outwit, outplay, and outlast the rest in Survivor: Tocantins.

The 31-year-old became first known as a beauty queen and model. The Dayton, Ohio native became Miss Ohio USA, and later moved to Los Angeles to become both a model and actress. It’s a somewhat unlikely path for the admitted tomboy, being involved in different sports throughout her childhood. But she is also book smart; she graduated with a law degree from the Northwestern University, and practiced law for a few years while in Los Angeles.

Her legal experience has given her an incisive, diplomatic nature, although her brutally honest nature may get her into trouble with her tribe. She believes, however, that her ability to relate with different people, her work ethic, and her athleticism will help in her bid to become the winner of Survivor.