As Cheslie Kryst was three years ago, a new Miss USA was crowned on Monday night at the Grand Sierra Resort and Spa in Reno, Nevada.
In addition, Kryst’s impact was evident throughout the 2022 competition as condolences for the former beauty queen, who committed herself in January, flooded in. She was 30 years of age.
Reno was selected for this year’s competition in memory of Kryst, according to Crystle Stewart, Miss USA 2008 and the current head of the Miss USA organization, in a recent interview with E! News.
“In honor of Cheslie Kryst” was the pageant’s opening remark, and later that night, FYI journalist Christian Murphy spoke about Kryst’s influence on the pageant industry.
If you’re fortunate, Murphy said, you’ll come to meet someone who, with just a simple gesture or a word, brightens up a room, makes every moment seem better, and makes you feel significant. Cheslie Kryst, I believe.
Murphy said, “Now, I had the honor to work with her, and her achievements were absolutely boundless. “Cheslie won the title of Miss USA 2019! And according to her family, she exemplified love and gave of herself to others, whether it was in her work as a social justice advocate lawyer, as Miss USA, or as a presenter on Extra. first as a daughter, sister, friend, guide, and coworker.”
We commemorate Cheslie tonight because we know her impact will endure. “We were fortunate to have her, even if it was only for a little time, and even more fortunate that her light lives on.”
The live audience at the pageant observed a minute of silence when Murphy finished speaking.
Kryst joined a famous foursome after winning Miss USA 2019, where she represented North Carolina. In her year, Miss Universe, Miss USA, Miss Teen USA, and Miss America were all women of color for the first time.
She said at the time, “I simply believe this is a crucial time.” And maybe this motivation will spread to other aspects of people’s life.
Kryst also made history by being the oldest woman to be crowned Miss USA. In the end, she finished in the top 10 at Miss Universe.
At the time of her death, Kryst was a host on Extra. She also practiced sophisticated litigation law and represented people serving lengthy prison terms for minor drug charges pro gratis.
She spent years soliciting money for the charities Dress for Success and Big Brothers Big Sisters of America while also assisting one client who had been given a life sentence.
The pageant queen had high-functioning depression, according to Kryst’s mother April Simpkins, who said that she kept it a secret “until very soon before her death.”
Simpkins said that Kryst had been “blindedsided” by internet criticism after being Miss USA during an appearance on “Red Table Talk.”
Simpkins said that she hoped to “urge others to be nicer” by telling more of Kryst’s tale.
She remarked, “People aren’t always friendly to folks who have mental issues.” And Cheslie understood that.