Former Miss USA Cheslie Kryst is set to become a published author more than two years after her death.
Kryst, who died by suicide on January 30, 2022 at the age of 30, had a lifelong dream of becoming a published author, according to Extrawhere she worked as a correspondent.
Thanks to her mom, April Simpkins, Krysta’s book — As you read this: The gap between Cheslien’s smile and mental illness — soon on the shelves.
Simpkins said Extra that publishing a book is among Kryst’s “last wishes”.
Miss USA 2019 Cheslie Kryst was also a lawyer with an MBA and a social justice advocate
Now Krysta’s wish is coming true. Her book will be published by Forefront Books on April 23.
“This means everything to me,” Simpkins said Extra. “By fulfilling her last wishes I feel like I can still be in mom mode with her. And it was a labor of love.”
Cheslie Kryst. Paras Griffin/Getty
Kryst was crowned Miss USA in May 2019, joining Nia Imani Franklin (Miss America), Kaliegh Garris (Miss Teen USA) and Zozibini Tunzi (Miss Universe) as the first group of black women to hold their titles in one year .
Additionally, Kryst is licensed to practice law in both North Carolina and South Carolina. She became a correspondent for Extra in October 2019, earning two Daytime Emmy Award nominations.
In a video shared by Extra, which was recorded shortly before her death, Kryst announced that she had written a book. “It’s so wild, it’s like I wrote a book!” – she exclaimed in the clip. “I have words on the page. There are words on this page! My words that I wrote.”
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As you read this is written in two parts, according to Forefront Books. The first part was written by Kryst, who shared her story of struggle for success, and the second half was written by Simpkins, who continued the book from her perspective, starting with the day of Kryst’s death.
“Whether you’re someone who struggles to maintain your mental health or you love someone who does, this book will share insight into the reality that affects thousands of families each year — as well as offer hope to those left behind,” read the description. books, according to the publisher.
Cheslie Kryst. Dia Dipasupil/WireImage ‘RTT’: Miss USA 2019 mom Cheslie Kryst says daughter’s death ‘wasn’t her first suicide attempt’
“For most people who have seen her on TV or at events, [Kryst] she was smiling and she was bubbly and she was happy, and that was her true self,” Simpkins said Extra.
“But she still felt a lot of pain,” she continued, “and I feel like the book sits right between that place of what people saw in her smile and her private struggle with depression.”
Net income from As you read this will go to the Cheslie C. Kryst Foundation, according to the publisher. The book is currently available for pre-order.
If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Line by dialing 988, texting “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Line at 741741 or going to 988lifeline.org.
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education