Cheslie Kryst’s legacy extends beyond her pageant crowns. Two years after her tragic passing by suicide, her family is honoring her memory with the posthumous release of her memoir, ‘By the Time You Read This.’ The book unveils the hidden struggles she endured, even after achieving the Miss USA title in 2019.
In a heartbreaking excerpt, Kryst reveals the torment she faced following her victory. Hateful comments and messages urging her to take her own life flooded her social media, exacerbating her long-standing insecurities and imposter syndrome. The constant scrutiny left her feeling like a fraud, a feeling that permeated beyond pageantry.
Despite her efforts to cultivate positive self-talk, Kryst admits that the positivity could only sustain her for so long. The memoir’s proceeds will support the Cheslie C. Kryst Foundation, which provides mental health resources for youth. Kryst’s mother, April Simpkins, who worked closely on the book, has been vocal about her daughter’s mental health struggles, raising awareness since her daughter’s passing in 2022.
