Miss USA 2019 Cheslie Kryst shared inner struggles in heartbreaking essay
MANILA, Philippines — Miss USA 2019 Cheslie Kryst penned an article about her inner struggles in 2021 for Allure Magazine.
The late beauty queen openly shared her worries on aging and frustration at society's treatment of older women. At 28, Cheslie made history as the oldest Miss USA champion in the pageant's 68-year history.
“When I was crowned Miss USA 2019 at 28 years old, I was the oldest woman in history to win the title, a designation even the sparkling $200,000 pearl-and-diamond Mikimoto crown could barely brighten for some diehard pageant fans who immediately began to petition for the age limit to be lowered," she shared.
“Society has never been kind to those growing old, especially women," she wrote.
“Each time I say, ‘I’m turning 30,’ I cringe a little. Sometimes I can successfully mask this uncomfortable response with excitement; other times, my enthusiasm feels hollow, like bad acting."
“A grinning, crinkly-eyed glance at my achievements thus far makes me giddy about laying the groundwork for more, but turning 30 feels like a cold reminder that I’m running out of time to matter in society’s eyes — and it’s infuriating," she added.
Cheslie also shared the attacks she reguarly got on social media simply for her looks, as netizens would imply that "pageant girls are supposed to be model-tall and slender, don bouffant hair, and have a killer walk."
She wrote, "But my five-foot-six frame won with six-pack abs, earned after years of competing in Division I Track and Field, and a head of natural curls in a time when generations of black women have been taught that being 'too black' would cost them wins in the boardroom and on pageant stages."
She also shared how she would delete vomit emojis in the comment section of her social posts.
"My challenge of the status quo certainly caught the attention of the trolls, and I can’t tell you how many times I have deleted comments on my social media pages that had vomit emojis and insults telling me I wasn’t pretty enough to be Miss USA or that my muscular build was actually a 'man body',” she said.
She shared her hardships for being outspoken about her opinions as well. "Women who compete in pageants are supposed to have a middle-of-the-road opinion — if any — so as not to offend."
The Emmy Award-nominated television correspondent and North Carolina attorney also gave a glimpse of what she felt about her accomplishments.
"Why work so hard to capture the dreams I’ve been taught by society to want when I continue to find only emptiness?"
Netizens cannot help but wonder if the old article was a cry for help.
If you or someone you know is struggling with depression, you can always talk to someone and share your struggles with the experts from the Department of Health's National Center for Mental Health at 0917-899-8727 or 02-7989-8727; the Natasha Goulbourn Foundation Hopeline at 0917-558-4673, 0918-873-4673, and 02-8804-4673; or the In Touch Crisis Line at 0917-800-1123, 0922-893-8944, and 02-8893-7603.
