Stewart began her acting career in 2011, when she played real estate agent Leslie Morris on the OWN/TBS comedy-drama television series For Better or Worse until 2017.

[10] Throughout her reign she served for various charities, conducted media interviews and made other public appearances.

[12] On July 13, 2008, Stewart represented the US at the Miss Universe pageant Nha Trang, Vietnam, and advanced to the top 10.

Stewart became the second consecutive Miss USA, following Rachel Smith in 2007, to stumble and fall during the evening gown competition.

[17] In October 2022, Stewart and her company Miss Brand Corporation were suspended from their roles in organizing pageants after numerous allegations of favoritism, results rigging, and sexual harassment were leveled by former contestants.

[22] Stewart served as a finals judge at the Miss USA 2016 pageant on June 5, 2016, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

[23] In 2011, Stewart made her acting debut appearing in an episode of the sitcom House of Payne.

In 2012, Perry cast Stewart in her first film, playing the role of a secretary in Good Deeds.

[25] In addition to her roles in Tyler Perry productions, Stewart appeared in one episode of the television series The Exes.

[citation needed] In 2024, Stewart was cast as lead in the Netflix drama series, Beauty in Black.