Where is Miss USA 2019 Cheslie Kryst now? Here's what the advocate for democracy and Extra TV anchor is up to
Cheslie Kryst became one of the only five Black women in history to hold a major pageant show title in America. Since then, she has been using her voice to talk about inclusivity, diversity, women’s empowerment, and redefining those terms in people’s minds. Kryst, who currently is at the Miss USA 2020 pageant show, in the famous Elvis Presley mansion, waiting to give her trophy away to the new titleholder, is a licensed attorney and works as a correspondent for Extra. Describing her experience at the pageant show, Kryst says, “Being Miss USA is about being your best self.”
Let's go, ladies! Thank you to @itsa10haircare, @bea10cosmetics, @sherrihill, @chineselaundry, and @swimoutlet. pic.twitter.com/OZ7j2xHXpE
— Miss USA (@MissUSA) November 7, 2020
Career
Kryst pursued her undergrad at the University of South Carolina and went to earn both her law degree and MBA from Wake Forest University. After her graduation, she practiced law and worked as an attorney at Poyner Spruill LLP, practicing complex civil litigation. She has worked on multiple pro-bono cases for low-level drug offenders and later worked on the one the famous Brittany K. Barnett of the Buried Alive Project, supported by Kim Kardashian West, to free a client sentenced to life imprisonment.
Entrepreneur and more
Kryst also founded a fashion blog ‘White Collar Glam’ where she reshaped the way women dressed in white-collar jobs, adding her own characteristic glam to it.
Not-so-cliche Miss USA journey
Kryst's Miss USA pageant title didn’t come so easily. When she entered for Miss North Carolina USA 2017, she came as the fourth runner-up but in true Cheslie Kryst spirit, she entered again the next year when placed in the top ten. She returned again for Miss North Carolina USA 2019, where she won the title representing Metrolina. And the rest is history. Kryst went on to become the oldest woman to be crowned as the Miss USA at the age of 28 last year, following which she joined Extra TV as a correspondent.
Tonight on #ExtraTV: The reigning @MissUSA and a former Miss USA! Our @chesliekryst is catching up with new #SISwimsuit cover girl @oliviaculpo. pic.twitter.com/QTupqAkxAM
— ExtraTV (@extratv) July 17, 2020
Being true to self
Kryst has also been an advocate for human rights, using her social media to ask people to vote for democracy. Kryst said in an interview, "It wouldn't be true to myself, these really are issues that have mattered to me for a long time and will continue to matter to me even when I'm not Miss USA." Kryst is currently co-hosting Miss Teen USA 2020 along with giving us inside scoops from Miss USA 2020 backstage. For the preliminary competition round of the pageant show, she appeared in a beautiful tie-dye pink and blue skirt with a white blouse channeling her true Miss USA glam persona.
That tie-dye skirt 💖 @chesliekryst
— Miss USA (@MissUSA) November 7, 2020
Tune in to the 2020 #MissUSA Preliminary competition now! https://t.co/abDOoswAlH pic.twitter.com/BDSaTMPU1H