Just moments before taking her own life, Kryst sent a text message to her mother, making a personal request to ensure that her written work would see the light of day someday. Simpkins, in an interview with EXTRA TV said Cheslie had left her final wishes in a message:
"She left me her final wishes in the text message that she sent to me the morning that she passed… that I see to it that her book get published, and it has been quite a journey doing that."
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Simpkins has dedicated herself tirelessly to accomplishing her late daughter's wishes. Her determination has paid off, as Kryst's book titled "By the Time You Read This: The Space Between Cheslie's Smile and Mental Illness" will be published on April 23, 2024.
The book is divided into two parts. The first half comprises Kryst's own words, reflecting on some of her proudest achievements, including obtaining an MBA and a law degree, participating in the Miss USA competition in 2019, and becoming a host for Extra. Readers will get a glimpse into Kryst's thoughts and experiences through her own voice.
In the second half of the book, Simpkins shares how her life changed on the morning of her daughter's tragic passing. Simpkins opened up in the EXTRA TV interview, saying:
"These are her own words… Cheslie for most people who saw her on TV or saw her at events, she was smiling and she was bubbly and she was happy, and that was her true self… but there was still a lot of pain that she felt and I do feel like the book stands right between that place of what people saw in her smile and her private battle with depression, and that is why we use that phrase 'the space between her smile and mental illness.'"
April Simpkins continues to carry the torch of her daughter's aspirations and sheds light on the complexities of mental health and the hidden struggles behind a seemingly bright smile.
Source: Blavity