Cheslie Kryst, who once served as winner of the Miss Fort Mill High School pageant, was named the new Miss USA on Thursday night in Reno, Nevada.
Kryst, 28, is a Charlotte corporate attorney and was competing as Miss North Carolina. She beat Miss New Mexico and Miss Oklahoma for the honor.
In addition to her legal career, Kryst is a well-known fashion blogger who provides female advice on dressing for the workplace. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of South Carolina and her law degree from Wake Forest University.
Kryst won her first pageant while attending Rock Hill’s Northwestern High School, where she was named Miss Freshman. Her family later moved to Fort Mill, and she won the Miss Fort Mill High School pageant.
Reaction is already hitting Facebook:
“She did it! Fort Mill in the house! April Simpkins and Cheslie Kryst, you ladies are shining examples,” said Danielle Lennon.
Said Jorris Ervin, “Outta the small town of fort mill we have a Miss America. Shout out Cheslie Kryst.”
Here is the question Kryst received during the interview portion along with her answer:
Question: “For the past two years, #MeToo and #TimesUp have dominated our national conversation. However, some believe it has only deepened the divide between men and women. Have these movements gone too far?”
Cheslie Kryst of North Carolina: “I don’t think these movements have gone too far. What #MeToo and #TimesUp are about are making sure that we foster safe and inclusive workplaces in our country. As an attorney, that’s exactly what I want to hear, and that’s exactly what I want for this country. I think they’re good movements.”