Six years ago I was competing in my third local pageant of the 2014 season. I’d lost the first two, but heard this particular competition would be crowning three women at once. I figured I’d have a better chance at winning this time.
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I had no clue what I was doing. I wore a swimsuit I bought from Victoria’s Secret. I sewed rhinestones on the top to make it look more flashy. I was overwhelmingly nervous in my interview, hence the giant sweat stains in my dress. I was pre-Invisalign so I still had a gap in my teeth that I didn’t like. I wish I had more women like @_queenchandler then to demonstrate that gaps are beautiful on pageant girls too. I thought wearing a tuxedo with coattails would be a unique outfit to wear for my piano piece. Idea: cool. Execution: not so cool. I wore a velvet dress from my mom’s closet for the evening gown competition (which I would wear again today in a heartbeat, btw). .
Six years ago I dreamed of representing my state as Miss North Carolina. I don’t know if it occurred to me that one day I would represent my country on an international stage and make history alongside four other women of color. I just knew I had a dream and I was sometimes afraid to tell people about it for fear of failing or looking stupid or embarrassing myself if I lost. I’m glad I tried, though. .
I won that night. A lot of wins and losses followed, but Miss USA 2019 is proud that little 2014 Cheslie tried. ❤️ #fbf #flashbackfriday #MissUSA #pageantjourney @chesliekryst ...read more