Patrick Prather/Miss USA
When Cheslie Kryst was crowned Miss USA in 2019, she made history as the oldest woman to win the pageant.
But while Kryst had reached the pinnacle of her pageant career — and would go on to make the top 10 at Miss Universe that year — she also became a target for online trolls who made fun of everything from her age to her body.
Alice Simpkins, Kryst's mother, spoke about the online criticism her daughter faced on Wednesday's "Red Table Talk" episode. It was Simpkins' first interview since Kryst died by suicide on January 30.
Benjamin Askinas/The Miss Universe Organization
During the interview, Simpkins and host Jada Pinkett Smith touched on an essay Kryst had written for Allure in March 2021 just days after her 30th birthday.
"Each time I say, 'I'm turning 30,' I cringe a little," Kryst wrote. "Turning 30 feels like a cold reminder that I'm running out of time to matter in society's eyes — and it's infuriating."
Throughout the essay, Kryst discussed the social-media criticism she faced after winning Miss USA. She said some pageant fans "immediately began to petition for the age limit to be lowered" after she was crowned. Others left "vomit emojis" on her Instagram page and said she "wasn't pretty enough to be Miss USA" or that her muscular build "was actually a 'man body.'"
"Cheslie never really struggled that much with body image," Simpkins told Pinkett Smith. "But I think when she came under attack after she won Miss USA, it blindsided her a little."
Miss USA/Alex Mertz
Simpkins noted that Kryst had been an accomplished Division I track and field athlete in college.
"When she was running track, she was very strong. Her body looked completely different because she was bulked with muscle," Simpkins said. "And when she was no longer on the track team, her body slimmed back down but the muscle was still there. She was proud of that."
"So to receive the messages she received after she won, I think that took her by surprise," she added. "I think that's when she began to learn how to deal with internet trolls."
In a November 2020 interview with Insider, Kryst said the swimsuit competition had always been her favorite part of competing in pageants.
"I grew up as an athlete," Kryst said at the time. "My dad is a bodybuilder — his swimsuit is much smaller than mine! My mom competed in pageants and her competitions included swimsuits. When I competed in track and field in college, I pushed myself to the limit. I did so much in order to make sure that I was at 100% for my competitions. And so I did the same thing for Miss USA, Miss North Carolina USA, and Miss Universe."
"So for me, swimsuit is exciting," she added. "I want to show you I worked hard for these abs, I worked hard for these thighs and calf muscles. And I want you to know that I'm proud of my body."
Frank L. Szelwach/Miss USA
Simpkins also spoke about her daughter's struggle with depression, saying Kryst first began showing symptoms in her early 20s.
In a final text message to her mother on the day of her death, Kryst wrote that she couldn't "bear the crushing weight of sadness, hopelessness, and loneliness any longer."
"I've never told you these feelings because I never wanted you to worry, and because I'd hoped they would eventually change," the text continued. "But I know they never will. They follow me through every accomplishment, success, family gathering, friendly dinner. I cry almost every day now, like I'm in mourning."
Simpkins said she hopes that by sharing more of Kryst's story, she can "encourage people to be kinder."
"People aren't kind sometimes to those who have mental challenges," she said. "And Cheslie knew that."
