Miss Universe pays tribute to the late Miss USA Cheslie Kryst

At the recently concluded the Miss Universe coronation night, the beauty organization took a moment to honor former Miss USA Cheslie Kryst, who fell to her death from a building in New York City. She was 30 years old.

Cheslie also worked as a model and entertainment news correspondent, interviewing stars like Taylor Swift, Zendaya, and Lady Gaga. Cheslie won the title of Miss USA in 2019.

At the coronation event, Miss Universe host and 2018 titleholder Catriona Gray described Cheslie as "a loving daughter, a wonderful friend, and an inspiration to so many of us."

"I was her first roommate in New York and a correspondent on the 70th show in Israel," she added. 

Cheslie's mother April Simpkins, also spoke saying, "Just because someone tells you, [they're] fine, doesn't mean they are. We all need to listen when we check in on our strong friends. Create a safe space, so they have room to share if they are challenged. Most importantly, we need to listen to them, to really listen and support them."

She also announced a partnership with NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, which has established the Cheslie Kryst Memorial Fund for mental health.

It made sense that Catriona was part of the Miss Universe tribute for Cheslie. Some time after her death in 2022, the Filipina-Australian beauty queen took to the Miss Universe YouTube channel to talk about Cheslie and mental health.

"Every single person — no matter their career path, their success, what they're going through, how they may look on the outside, how big their smile is, no matter how joyous their energy is — is facing something, is facing a mountain of their own, is fighting their own inner demons. So, please be kind with how you talk to people, with how you treat people," Catriona said back then.

She shared how she and Cheslie became friends. "I was there when she won the Miss USA crown. I put the sash over her head and I interviewed her for her first-ever interview when she bagged the crown," Catriona narrated, saying the event "kickstarted our friendship and our sisterhood."

"There isn't a lot of people who can relate to the sensation of becoming a titleholder," Catriona continued, adding Cheslie became "one of those main people for me." 

"The loss of Ches' life took so many by surprise because she just never really showed that she was struggling. It made me think: Why did it take all of us by surprise?"  

"Depression doesn't look the same for everyone. It's unfortunate that so many people still perceive depression, anxiety and mental illness to look a certain way. And surely it couldn't be someone like Ches. But the truth is mental illness can impact every single one of us," Catriona said.

If you need help with a mental health issue, you can call the National Center for Mental Health toll-free at 1553 for Luzon. Globe and TM subscribers can call (0917) 899-USAP or (0966) 351-4518. Smart, Sun, and TNT subscribers can call (0908) 639-2672. — LA, GMA Integrated News