A decade-old clip of Erika Kirk in Emerson Drive’s 2012 music video for their song, “She’s My Kind of Crazy,” has gone viral.
The video shows the TPUSA CEO as a pageant-style love interest confronting her fear of heights on a zipline. Fans have expressed shock at her stunning transformation since her modeling days, with many joking about her “insane lore.”
Though she briefly appeared on Bravo’s “Summer House,” Erika Kirk focused on business and her podcast and is now the head of the political movement founded by her late husband, Charlie Kirk.
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Erika Kirk’s 2012 Music Video Appearance Resurfaces
A decade-old clip of Erika Kirk has resurfaced, and netizens can’t stop talking about it. The former Miss Arizona, now known for her public profile following the tragic death of her husband, Charlie Kirk, during an event at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025, starred in Emerson Drive’s 2012 country hit “She’s My Kind of Crazy.”
In the video, Erika played the love interest of a Southern gentleman, sporting curled hair and classic pageant-style makeup. Her outfits in the video, including denim shorts, jeggings, a sparkly top, and tall wedges, stand in contrast to her polished 2025 public persona, where her face has naturally thinned with age.
One memorable scene had Erika ziplining before a drive-through wedding chapel ceremony, pushing her to confront a personal fear.
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In a behind-the-scenes YouTube clip, she admitted, “I’ve never done this before, and I’m definitely afraid of heights. I’ll survive, I promise… I don’t know what facial expressions I’ll have.”
While she had been told the zipline reached only 20 mph, FlightLinez Las Vegas, the company behind the ride, said tourists often soar at closer to 30 mph.
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TikTok Reacts To The Widow’s Viral Music Video Role: ‘All She Wanted Was To Be Famous’
Taking to TikTok, fans have been quick to react to the nostalgic clip, expressing how far Erika has come since her beauty pageant days.
A person commented, “She wanted to be a star. She tried for years,” while another said, “It’s why she’s literally beaming now. All she wanted was to be famous.”
“She has tried so hard to reach this exact moment, and she will not give it up,” a third person noted.
Others noted that “she was on a dating show as well,” with a TikTok user stating that Erika “has some insane lore. It’s like each day, new stuff is being found.”
Although the former beauty queen made a brief appearance on Bravo’s “Summer House,” reality TV was not her primary focus.
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She pivoted toward business and media, founding the faith-based clothing line Proclaim Streetwear in December 2018 and launching her podcast, “Midweek Rise Up,” in 2019, back when she was still known as Erika Frantzve.
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Erika Kirk Responds To Candace Owens’ Conspiracy Theories With One Word: ‘Stop’
Meanwhile, since her husband’s death, Erika has continued her public appearances and media engagements, especially as the new CEO of Turning Point USA.
She has also come under heavy scrutiny, with many, such as political commentator Candace Owens, questioning her actions since Charlie’s passing.
When recently asked about the conservative podcaster’s conspiracy theories about her husband’s shooting, Erika offered a blunt, one-word response.
“Stop. That’s it. That’s all I have to say. Stop,” the mother of two told CBS Editor-in-Chief Baris Weiss during a tell-all town hall.
Erika has been on a media tour to push back against false claims circulating online, many originating from Owens, who was once a close friend of Charlie.
The TPUSA CEO Pushed Back Against Rumors Linking Her Staff To Charlie Kirk’s Death
Since the Utah Valley University shooting, Owens has promoted wild conspiracy theories suggesting Charlie was “betrayed,” the federal investigation was misleading, and even implying possible involvement by Israel.
She has also criticized Charlie Kirk’s organization, Turning Point USA, where she previously worked.
Erika also appeared on Fox News’ “Outnumbered” with host Harris Faulkner to address the rumors, saying the false narratives had brought her to a “breaking point,” affecting both her personal family and her new family at TPUSA.
At the time, she indirectly called out Owens, urging her and other conspiracy theorists to stop attacking TPUSA staff.
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“My silence does not mean that somehow Turning Point USA and all of the handpicked staff that loved my husband and my husband loved them is somehow in on it,” she said at the time about the theories.
Erika Kirk Revealed Her ‘Righteous Anger’ Toward Conspiracy Theorists
During her chat with Faulkner, Erika’s frustration with the rumors was deeply felt by the host, who noted that the widow had never reacted in such a furious manner before.
Faulkner’s observation made Erika state that her anger toward the conspiracy theorists was “righteous.”
“This is righteous anger because this is not okay, it’s not healthy. This is a mind virus,” Erika stated.
She further noted that her reaction to the stories about her husband’s death is fueled by her determination to uphold Charlie’s legacy.
“It’s an absolute honor,” she said. “And I will never back down. And so my message to them is to stop – to stop.”
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Erika and Owens have seemingly sheathed their swords following what seemed to be a growing feud between them. The women had a private meeting, where they exchanged “intel” about the right-wing activist’s shooting incident.