Kryst received her bachelor’s degree from the University of South Carolina, where she was a track and field star. She was crowned Miss USA in May of 2019 and passed the crown in November of 2020. She reigned longer than any other winner in history -- 557 days -- because of the pandemic.
“Me having this extended reign was important because it gave me extra time to talk to people about issues that are important,” Kryst told Channel 9 in November 2020.
In addition to her reign as Miss USA, Kryst was also an attorney with a master’s in business from Wake Forest. She recently helped a man earn his freedom after 25 years in prison. He had originally been sentenced to life in prison under previous drug laws. Christmas 2021 was his first time home in more than two decades, Channel 9′s DaShawn Brown reported.
She was a mentor and a champion for women of color in the workforce.
When Kryst was crowned, it marked more than a personal triumph -- It meant that for the first time, three Black women were the reigning Miss USA, Miss Teen USA and Miss America.
Long before she wore a pageant crown, Kryst volunteered at Dress for Success in Charlotte, and donated time and money to the organization.
As an attorney, she recognized the importance of dress in making a good impression, and she wanted to give others a hand up as they tried to better themselves.
Kryst became good friends with Kerry Barr O’Connor, who is the executive director of the organization. She was stunned about what happened and said it will take a long time to get over this loss.
“We lost a bright light way too soon, but her legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of everyone she touched and everyone she met. I think that the outpouring of love and support, not just from Charlotte and her family at E, but around the world is hopefully going to lift her family and friends,” O’Connor said.
She said even the pandemic didn’t slow Kryst down. She met with clients at the organization virtually and gave them tips and pointed how to present themselves to prospective employers.
Cheslie Kryst Miss USA 2019 Cheslie Kryst Joins Big Brothers Big Sisters of America Board of Directors. (AP)
Cheslie Kryst Miss USA Cheslie Kryst attends the world premiere of "Like a Boss" at the SVA Theatre on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2020, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP) (Evan Agostini/Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Cheslie Kryst In this Wednesday, May 8, 2019 photo, Miss USA 2019 Cheslie Kryst poses for a portrait in New York. (Photo by Andy Kropa/Invision/AP) (Andy Kropa/Andy Kropa/Invision/AP)
Cheslie Kryst Cheslie Kryst arrives at the red carpet at the 2019 Black Girls Rock! Awards at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2019, in Newark, NJ. (Photo by Brad Barket/Invision/AP) (Brad Barket/Brad Barket/Invision/AP)
Cheslie Kryst Cheslie Kryst arrives at the red carpet at the 2019 Black Girls Rock! Awards at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2019, in Newark, NJ. (Photo by Brad Barket/Invision/AP) (Brad Barket/Brad Barket/Invision/AP)
Cheslie Kryst NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 11: Cheslie Kryst attends Annual Charity Day Hosted By Cantor Fitzgerald, BGC and GFI - BGC Office – Inside on September 11, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for Cantor Fitzgerald) (Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for Cantor Fitzgerald BGC and GFI)
Cheslie Kryst 2019 MISS UNIVERSE: Live Show: Miss USA, Cheslie Kryst at the 2019 MISS UNIVERSE competition airing LIVE on Sunday, Dec. 8 (7:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) on FOX. (Photo by FOX via Getty Images) (FOX /FOX Image Collection via Getty Images)
Cheslie Kryst NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 30: Cheslie Kryst attends the "Gossip Girl" New York Premiere at Spring Studios on June 30, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/WireImage) (Dia Dipasupil/WireImage via Getty Images)
Cheslie Kryst NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 18: Cheslie Kryst visits "Extra" at The Levi's Store Times Square on November 18, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by John Lamparski/Getty Images) (John Lamparski/Getty Images)
Cheslie Kryst NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 08: Cheslie Kryst is seen outside the 2021 Glamour Women of the Year Awards at the Rainbow Room on November 08, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Robert Kamau/GC Images) (Robert Kamau/GC Images)
Cheslie Kryst NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 06: (L-R) Miss Universe Zozibini Tunzi, Miss USA Cheslie Kryst, Miss Teen USA Kaliegh Garris and Miss America 2019 Nia Franklin speak at NYFW: The Talks, The Evolving Standard of Beauty presented by The Miss Universe Organization during New York Fashion Week: The Shows at Spring Studios on February 06, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for IMG) (Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for IMG)
Cheslie Kryst HOLLYWOOD, FLORIDA - MAY 16: Miss Universe 2020 Andrea Meza and Cheslie Kryst pose onstage at the 69th Miss Universe competition at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on May 16, 2021 in Hollywood, Florida. (Photo by Rodrigo Varela/Getty Images) (RODRIGO VARELA/Getty Images)
Cheslie Kryst NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 05: Miss USA 2019 Cheslie Kryst and Miss Universe 2019 Zozibini Tunzi pose as Miss USA & Miss Universe celebrate Valentines Day with Limited Edition Heart Shaped Pizza at Buca di Beppo Times Square on February 5, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Glikas/WireImage) (Bruce Glikas/Bruce Glikas/WireImage via Getty Images)
Cheslie Kryst NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 28: (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) (L-R) Miss USA 2019 Cheslie Kryst, Miss Universe 2019 Zozibini Tunzi and Miss Teen USA 2019 Kaliegh Garris visit BuzzFeed's "AM To DM" on February 28, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images) (Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images)
Cheslie Kryst ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 08: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Steve Harvey interviews Miss USA Cheslie Kryst onstage at the 2019 Miss Universe Pageant at Tyler Perry Studios on December 08, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images) (Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
Cheslie Kryst NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 28: (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) (L-R) Miss USA 2019 Cheslie Kryst, Miss Teen USA 2019 Kaliegh Garris, Miss Universe 2019 Zozibini Tunzi and host Zach Stafford pose for photos at BuzzFeed's "AM To DM" on February 28, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images) (Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images)
Cheslie Kryst NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 06: (L-R) Miss Universe Zozibini Tunzi, Miss Teen USA Kaliegh Garris, Miss USA Cheslie Kryst and Miss America 2019 Nia Franklin attend New York Fashion Week: The Shows at Spring Studios on February 06, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for IMG) (Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for IMG)
Cheslie Kryst HOLLYWOOD, FLORIDA - MAY 16: Demi-Leigh Tebow, Miss Universe 2020 Andrea Meza and Cheslie Kryst pose onstage at the 69th Miss Universe competition at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on May 16, 2021 in Hollywood, Florida. (Photo by Rodrigo Varela/Getty Images) (RODRIGO VARELA/Getty Images)
Cheslie Kryst NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 05: Miss USA 2019 Cheslie Kryst and Miss Universe 2019 Zozibini Tunzi pose as Miss USA & Miss Universe celebrate Valentines Day at Planet Hollywood Times Square on February 5, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Glikas/WireImage) (Bruce Glikas/Bruce Glikas/WireImage via Getty Images)
Kryst also helped launch the Universe United Campaign, which worked to keep people connected as states started to shut down during the pandemic.
“I helped to assist people to look at Miss USA in a different way,” Kryst told Channel 9 at the time. “I think a lot of people were surprised I was a practicing attorney, and to win the title. When I was going through interviews, they would say, ‘Why are you interviewing for Miss USA? You are an attorney. Shouldn’t you be at work right now?’ I constantly had to explain to people this organization provides a better platform than I had sought out before. It’s not just pretty women who want to be models who compete in Miss USA. It’s women who have substance, and it always has been. But not enough people knew that.”
Kryst’s family released a statement Sunday evening regarding her death saying:
“In devastation and great sorrow, we share the passing of our beloved Cheslie. Her great light was one that inspired others around the world with her beauty and strength. She cared, she loved, she laughed and she shined. Cheslie embodies love, and served others, whether through her work as an attorney fighting for social justice, as Miss USA and as a host on EXTRA. But most importantly, as a daughter, sister, friend, mentor and colleague - we know her impact will live on. As we reflect on our loss, the family asks for privacy at this time.”
Kryst was also a host on EXTRA. The entertainment show released a statement regarding her death saying:
“Our hearts are broken. Cheslie was not just a vital part of our show, she was a beloved part of our Extra family and touched the entire staff. Our deepest condolences to all her family and friends.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
(WATCH BELOW: Miss USA 2019 Cheslie Kryst dies at age 30, family says)