YEARS before her tragic death, Miss USA Cheslie Kryst shared a TED talk about suicide prevention to Twitter, which was retweeted by Bachelor Nation host Mike Johnson.
The interaction between the two TV personalities has recirculated since Kryst’s death.
“To my friends that have committed suicide know that I love you,” Johnson said in his initial retweet of the video Kryst shared.
“For those who have contemplated this, I don’t judge you and know I have love for you,” he added.
This week, Johnson made the interaction his pinned tweet, and shared a new post.
Paired with a photo of Kryst, he wrote “If you or anyone you know is struggling w bouts of #suicide please call the Natl Hotline Number: 1-800-273-8255
“Cheslie we love you,” the post concludes, along with a dove emoji.
Kryst was pronounced dead after falling from her high-rise apartment in New York City in what police believe to be a suicide.
“She was dealing with high-functioning depression which she hid from everyone,” Kryst’s mother, April Simpkins, said Wednesday, according to NBC.
Kryst, 30, took home the crown in the Miss USA pageant as Miss North Carolina in 2019.
You’re not alone
SUICIDE is the 10th leading cause of death in the US, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Leading Causes of Death Report from 2018.
There were “more than two and half times as many suicides” in the US than there were homicides, according to the report.
For people ages 10 and 34, suicide was the “second leading cause of death” and the fourth for individuals ages 35 to 54.
Suicide is a vital health concern in the U.S. It affects all genders, races and ages.
This is why The-Sun.com launched the You’re Not Alone campaign.
The campaign calls on readers to discuss their mental health issues with their family, friends and health professionals. We can all pitch in to help out others who may be suffering and help save lives.
If you are struggling to cope, you are not alone. There are many free and confidential programs in the US aimed to help those who are struggling with their mental health.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health problems, these organizations are here to provide support:
Read our Cheslie Kryst live blog for the latest news and updates...
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Cheslie Kryst’s father speaks out
Cheslie Kryst’s grieving dad Rodney Kryst has hailed his late daughter as “pure” in a heart-wrenching tribute.
“She was pure as can be, she didn’t take any kind of drugs or prescription medication,” the 62-year-old told The Post.
“She never had any kind of substance abuse problem.”
“I think it had a lot to do with family dysfunction, but it will be a while before we can talk more. She was sad.”
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Inside Cheslie’s midtown NYC apartment
Cheslie Kryst lived in a glamorous $5,000 apartment that boasted impressive views of the Manhattan skyline.
Kryst moved into the plush pad in September last year and often offered an insight into her apartment to her hundreds of thousands of followers on TikTok.
She filmed most of her clips in the second bedroom which she used as an office and closet.
The beauty pageant winner proudly showcased her shoe wall that contained shelves she built herself, packed full of different pairs of heels and sneakers.
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Moving essay had haunting ending
While on her trajectory to pageant queen, Kryst often spoke candidly about the legalization of marijuana, President Donald Trump’s immigration policies, and criminal justice reform.
She was a public supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement and marched in protests.
“I wasn’t searching to collect more awards or recognition during my reign. Rather, I fed the passion that made waking up each morning feel worthwhile: speaking out against injustice.”
Kryst concluded her Allure essay from 2021 with now-haunting words about searching for “joy and purpose” as she entered her 30th year.
“And that feels like my own sweet victory.”
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Cheslie’s ‘challenge of the status quo’
Upon winning Miss USA, Kryst said her term was one filled with purpose, and that she desired to “commit myself to passion, intent, and authenticity.”
She compared herself to other pageant girls, who are model-tall and thin with “don bouffant hair and have a killer walk.” Kryst, who competed in Division I Track and Field, had six-pack abs and natural curls.
In her words, being “too Black” has prevented many black women from winning on the pageant stage.
“My challenge of the status quo has certainly caught the attention of the trolls,” she said, adding that she’s had to delete comments on social due to negative comments about her appearance.
“And that was just my looks. My opinions, on the other hand, were enough to make a traditional pageant fan clutch their pearls.”
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Cheslie’s many hats
Aside from being Miss USA 2019, Kryst also practiced law in both North and South Carolina, with a focus on civil litigation.
She founded the fashion blog White Collar Glam, which focused on helping women dress professionally on the job.
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‘Running out of time’
Less than a year before her death, Cheslie revealed that she spent eight days in the hospital and wrote about “running out of time” in a chilling essay.
The ex Miss USA winner penned a heartbreaking piece about turning 30 where she discussed her struggles with aging, her work ethic, and her search for purpose.
Kryst wrote: “Turning 30 feels like a cold reminder that I’m running out of time to matter in society’s eyes – and it’s infuriating.”
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Last note
Police sources told The New York Post that Kryst left a note behind for her mom April Simpkins, who was awarded the gong of Mrs. North Carolina United States in 2002.
The beauty pageant winner previously said her mum had inspired her.
She said: “My mom is my role model. I always look up to her and ask her for her advice.”
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When did Cheslie die?
The beauty pageant star, 30, was found dead in New York City on Sunday.
She was pronounced dead after falling from her high-rise apartment.
Medical examiners conducted an autopsy Monday and a day later her death was confirmed a suicide
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Family asks for donations
Cheslie Kryst’s family is asking for donations to Dress for Success, an organization Kryst held close to her heart.
As Miss USA, Kryst spoke out about criminal justice reform.
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‘May this day bring you rest and peace’
Cheslie Kryst did not share her struggles with depression with her family and those close to her until just before her passing.
In her final Instagram post before her fatal fall from her high-rise apartment in New York City, Krst shared a photo of herself with the caption, “May this day bring you rest and peace.”
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Cheslie ‘dealt with high-functioning depression’
“Cheslie led both a public and a private life. In her private life, she was dealing with high-functioning depression which she hid from everyone – including me, her closest confidant – until very shortly before her death,” said the former Miss USA’s mother in a statement.
“While her life on this earth was short, it was filled with many beautiful memories. We miss her laugh, her words of wisdom, her sense of humor and mostly her hugs.
“We miss all of it – we miss all of her. She was a vital part of our family which makes this loss even more devastating.”
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Cheslie’s mother speaks out
The Miss USA 2019 winner’s mother, April Simpkins, released a statement regarding her daughter’s death on Wednesday.
“I have never known a pain as deep as this. I am forever changed,” Simpkins started.
“Today, what our family and friends privately knew was the cause of death of my sweet baby girl, Cheslie, was officially confirmed.
“While it may be hard to believe, it’s true.”
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Cheslie was crowned Miss USA at 28
The beauty queen had made history as the oldest Miss USA winner at 28-years-old.
Kryst said that she “cringed” at the thought of turning 30.
“Society has never been kind to those growing old, especially women,” she wrote in her essay for Allure.
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Cheslie won Miss North Carolina, Miss USA
As a teenager, Cheslie was crowned Miss Freshman at her first high school, Northwestern.
She also earned the honor of Miss Fort Mill High School after she transferred.
In 2019, she was crowned Miss North Carolina and Miss USA.
After taking home the crown in Reno, Nevada, Cheslie took a one-year leave from her job as a lawyer.
She represented the United States at the Miss Universe pageant in December of 2019.
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Cheslie Kryst’s childhood
Cheslie Kryst was born on April 28, 1991 to former Mrs. North Carolina, April Simpkins.
After graduating from Fort Mill High School in 2009, Cheslie went on to earn her Bachelor’s degree in marketing and human resource management from the University of South Carolina.
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What’s been said about Cheslie Kryst? continued
ExtraTV host Billy Bush also took to Instagram to pay tribute to Cheslie, writing: “She was positive, hardworking, fun and of course beautiful.”
“Always dancing in between takes. This is a complete shock to all. We are left with great sadness because the best was definitely yet to come for this special person.”
Renee Bargh, also of ExtraTV, referred to Cheslie as “The sweetest, kindest, smartest woman I’ve ever met,” via Instagram Story.
“Devastated & shocked,” she continued.
“We lost a beautiful bright light.”
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What has been said about Cheslie Kryst?
Former Miss South Carolina, MaKenzie Divina, wrote on Instagram: “Cheslie I hope you knew how loved you were.
“I can never begin to understand how you were feeling but what I can rest with is knowing the amazing person you were and how your legacy will continue on forever,” the post continued.
“The impact you had on so many people including myself was incredible. You left people better than you found them. The world will never be the same without you. I’ll love you forever… Until we meet again Cheslie.”
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Kryst’s historic 2019 win
Kryst made history as one of three black women crowned as Miss USA, Miss Teen USA, and Miss America in 2019.
Kryst told The Grio that wearing her natural curls during the pageant was intentional.
“Winning with my natural hair was really important to me because I thought, this is the way that my hair grows out of my head,” she told the news site in 2019.
“I should be OK to wear my hair like this.”
One Twitter user said of the historic year: “It was such a beautiful year when Cheslie Kryst was Miss USA.”
“We had 3 black queens. May she rest in peace.”
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What was Cheslie Kryst known for? part two
Cheslie was crowned Miss USA in 2019 and went on to compete in the Miss Universe pageant.
The civil litigation attorney took time off from her law career to fulfill her duties as Miss USA.
Also in 2019, Cheslie began her career as a New York-based correspondent for ExtraTV, a position that brought the star two Emmy Award nominations.
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What was Cheslie Kryst known for?
The daughter of former Mrs North Carolina April Simpkins, Cheslie began her pageantry career as a teenager following in her mother’s footsteps.
In 2013, Cheslie earned her Bachelor’s degree for Marketing and Human Resource Management, followed by a Juris Doctor and Master’s of Business Administration four years later.
She won the title of Miss North Carolina in 2019, after several attempts of landing in the top ten at the competition.
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Was Cheslie Kryst married?
Cheslie Kryst was not married.
She never publicly dated anyone, and was not known to share her relationship status with fans or the media.
Prior to her death, Cheslie seemed to be focused on expanding her career.
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What was Cheslie Kryst’s cause of death?
An autopsy has confirmed that Cheslie Kryst died by suicide.
The beauty pageant star, 30, was found dead in New York City on Sunday.
She was pronounced dead after falling from her apartment in the metropolis.
Medical examiners conducted an autopsy Monday and just a day later her death was confirmed to be a suicide, PEOPLE reported.
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Cheslie won Miss North Carolina, Miss USA
As a teenager, Cheslie was crowned Miss Freshman at her first high school, Northwestern.
She also earned the honor of Miss Fort Mill High School after she transferred.
In 2019, she was crowned Miss North Carolina and Miss USA.
After taking home the crown in Reno, Nevada, Cheslie took a one-year leave from her job as a lawyer.
She represented the United States at the Miss Universe pageant in December of 2019.
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Fellow pageant queen posts tribute
Savannah Wix, Miss Arizona 2019, posted a tribute photo showing herself, Cheslie and other Miss USA contestants at the competition.
In the photo, Cheslie has been crowned, and is holding a bouquet of flowers while her fellow contestants embrace her.
“We love you forever, Ches,” Savannah captioned the picture.
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Final tweet
In early January, Cheslie Kryst shared her YouTube channel on Twitter.
“My name is Red now,” she wrote.
“New year, new me, new channel! I did my very first YouTube vlog and it captured this entire transformation from start to finish,” she added, before urging people to subscribe at an included link.
People have since taken to the replies to mourn the former Miss USA.
“You never know what private struggles people are going through so start with compassion. RIP Cheslie,” one person wrote.
