Erika Kirk stepped into the top job at Turning Point USA in September 2025, but her professional path started long before politics—and it’s been anything but linear. Before becoming CEO, she built a public-facing profile through pageantry and television, then shifted into entrepreneurship, faith-based media, and New York City real estate.
She began in beauty pageants and won Miss Arizona USA
Erika started competing in pageants while still in high school, telling Arizona Foothills in 2012 that she was drawn to the platform because of its emphasis on community service. After pausing pageants during college—where she played women’s basketball at Regis University in Denver before transferring—she returned to competition and was crowned Miss Arizona USA in 2011. She later competed in the 2012 Miss USA pageant, which Vanity Fair noted was owned by President Donald Trump at the time, but she did not win.
She briefly appeared on reality TV
In 2019, Erika guest-starred on season 3 of Bravo’s Summer House, appearing in an episode as a potential love interest for Jordan Verroi. In a confessional, he spoke admiringly of her appearance and personality. Reporting from The Hollywood Reporter indicated the connection did not continue outside the show, and the article notes she met Charlie Kirk shortly after filming in 2018. Erika later referenced the experience in a 2019 Instagram post, writing that she had turned down bigger reality-TV opportunities while pursuing her graduate degree.
She launched a podcast focused on faith and leadership
Also in 2019, Erika started a faith-based podcast called Midweek Rise Up. According to her website, the show centers on Biblical leadership and encouraging people to lead with integrity and purpose. She framed the podcast’s launch as connected to her pursuit of a doctorate in Christian leadership, sharing in a September 2019 Instagram post that the timing was intentional.
She founded a faith-based clothing and lifestyle brand
In 2018, Erika launched a religious apparel business called PROCLAIM Streetwear. The brand expanded beyond clothing into baby accessories and home/lifestyle products. The article also notes a “ministry arm” called BIBLEin365, described as a program designed to guide participants through the Bible over the course of a year. An Instagram post from the company in December 2020 said the business paired purchases with an additional sweatshirt intended to be gifted to someone in need.
She worked in New York City real estate, including with The Corcoran Group
Professionally, Erika also worked in real estate. Her LinkedIn profile lists her becoming a real estate agent in New York City in October 2018 and joining The Corcoran Group, the brokerage founded by Barbara Corcoran. While the article says it’s unclear whether she is still actively selling property, her Zillow bio describes her as “a multidimensional entrepreneur” and notes she previously worked on the developer side of NYC real estate.
Answer: Before becoming CEO of Turning Point USA, Erika Kirk worked as a pageant titleholder and public figure, made a brief reality TV appearance, launched a faith-based podcast, founded a clothing/lifestyle business, and worked as a real estate agent in New York City with The Corcoran Group.
