Actress Ming-Na Wen is mourning the loss of the late Cheslie Kryst.
Kryst was an “Extra” correspondent and a former Miss USA. She was only 30 years old when she took her own life. Her body was found outside the Orion Condominium building where she lived in New York City.
According to a statement put out by her family, “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 embodied 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.”
Extra also released a statement, 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.”
Cheslie Kryst Reflected On Asking Herself ‘Why’
In an essay she penned for Allure in 2021, Kryst said that she had dedicated herself to “passion” and “authenticity.”
“I was further along in the journey of learning this lesson when I won Miss USA,” Kryst wrote. “My term was not an exercise in the expected; instead, it felt filled with purpose. In fact, from the moment I won, my reign ignited a heightened desire to commit myself to passion, intent and authenticity.”
“Pageant girls are supposed to be model-tall and slender, don bouffant hair, and have a killer walk,” she continued. “But my five-foot-six frame won with six-pack abs, earned after years of competing in Division I Track and Field, and a head of natural curls in a time when generations of Black women have been taught that being ‘too Black’ would cost them wins in the boardroom and on pageant stages.”
Many celebrities took to social media to express their condolences for the late correspondent and friend.
Ming-Na Wen: ‘My Heart Goes Out To Her Loved Ones’
Devastating. So tragic.
Cheslie Kryst interviewed us just 2 wks ago. She was so beautiful, charming & engaging.
I’m shaken to the core. My heart goes out to her loved ones, coworkers & fans. 💔💔😢RIP, Cheslie. 🙏🏼 https://t.co/TRT2VwNyXO pic.twitter.com/uMq5PjutUG
— Ming-Na Wen (@MingNa) January 31, 2022
After achieving recognition as the voice of the Disney animated princess “Mulan,” Ming-Na Wen has gone on to star as mercenary Fennec Shand in the Disney+ live-action series “The Book of Boba Fett,” which is a sequel to season 2 of “The Mandalorian.” Starring Temuera Morrison as the titular bounty hunter Boba Fett, he and Shand team up to claim the territory on Tatooine that was once ruled over by Jabba the Hutt.
Late Sunday night, Wen took to Twitter in order to express her condolences to the late correspondent, who had interviewed them about the show only two weeks prior.
“Devastating. So tragic,” she wrote. “Cheslie Kryst interviewed us just 2 wks ago.”
“She was so beautiful, charming & engaging. I’m shaken to the core,” she continued. “My heart goes out to her loved ones, coworkers & fans. RIP, Cheslie.”
Many fans chimed in to express their condolences as well.
“She seemed so vibrant and loved y so many people… it is truly tragic because of this alone,” one fan wrote. “My sincere condolences.”
“This is devastating,” another fan wrote. “She was always such a delight to watch interview people.”
The official “Star Wars” Wookieepedia page wrote, “Our deepest condolences.”
“Every time I read of another soul succumbing to suicide, it breaks my heart,” another shared. “The stigma will not end until we stop shaming those in such soul-sucking pain and allow them to share their vulnerability. It takes courage to ask for help and compassion to hold space and listen!!!”
“I’m so sorry,” another wrote. “I just watched this interview on Friday. She is so delightful, smart, and gorgeous. Shocking [and] scary, and I am so sad to hear she was in despair and pain.”
“I wish I had something profound to say,” another added. “But I don’t. I’m so sorry for the loss of everyone who knew her.”
