After 7 years away from the runway, Chrysttal di Medêiros returns to pageants and turns pain into resilience

'MISS' COVER EDITION - AUGUST 2025 ISSUE

Model and actress Chrysttal di Medêiros is not just a beautiful face on the runway. Her journey is marked by achievements, silent struggles, and an inner strength that has made her an inspiration to many. In 2018, she earned the title of Miss Trans Universe in a pageant held in Italy, a moment that solidified her name in the international beauty scene.

However, not long after, her life changed drastically. With the arrival of the Covid-19 pandemic, Chrysttal faced one of the most challenging periods of her life: a severe depression accompanied by intense anxiety attacks. While for many it was merely a time of isolation and fear, for her it became a true mental and emotional battlefield.

“I had anxiety attacks so intense that I had to go to the emergency room almost every day. And this was during the pandemic, when people were doing everything they could to avoid hospitals. My heart would race, I’d feel short of breath, like I was having a cardiac arrhythmia,” she recalls.

The situation worsened to the point where Chrysttal was hospitalized for 11 days in a psychiatric facility, at a time when health restrictions prohibited visitors. Not even her husband was allowed to be by her side. “I couldn’t say my own name, didn’t recognize who I was. It was an emptiness I had never felt before.”

During treatment, the use of strong medications caused swelling, weight gain, and changes in her appearance, something that deeply affected her self-esteem. “I looked in the mirror and didn’t recognize myself. I felt ugly, bloated. It was a time when even extreme thoughts crossed my mind.”

But it was precisely from that dark phase that a new version of her was born. This year, after seven years away from the runway, Chrysttal made a decision: to compete again. The goal wasn’t just to win a title, but to prove to herself that she was capable of facing her fears and overcoming her phobia of being around people again.

“Returning to the catwalk was a turning point. I wanted to show myself that I could do it. Even though I didn’t win the crown this time, I felt like my soul had been cleansed and experienced an incredible sense of peace. Just being there was already a victory,” she says.

For Chrysttal, this comeback meant far more than a crown. It was a symbol of her resilience, proof that, despite the setbacks, she never gave up on herself. Today, when she looks in the mirror, she sees a stronger, more confident woman, and above all, someone at peace with who she is.

“What matters most is that I feel good on the inside. Beauty goes far beyond appearance. It’s about having the strength to rise and keep going. That’s what I want people to feel when they look at me.”

Chrysttal di Medêiros’ return wasn’t just a fashion moment — it was a powerful testimony of resilience and inspiration. And for her, this is only the beginning of a new chapter — one that is lighter, more self-aware, and above all, happier.