Sushmita Sen mourns the death of Miss Universe 1995

By Zainab Ahmed

Sep 10, 2018

01:36 pm

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What's the story

Pageant queen Chelsi Smith, who won the crowns of Miss USA and Miss Universe in 1995, lost her battle to liver cancer on Saturday. She was 45.

Notably, Chelsi became the first African-American model to be crowned Miss Texas in 1994.

Former Miss Universe Sushmita Sen took to Twitter to pay tribute to Chelsi and shared a throwback picture from their pageant days.

Twitter Post

Rest in peace, my friend: Sushmita remembers Chelsi

I loved her smile that generous spirit!!! Rest in peace my beautiful friend @Chelsi_Smith #MissUniverse1995 Dugga Dugga 🙏 pic.twitter.com/rm63b98Q72

— sushmita sen (@thesushmitasen) September 9, 2018

Details

Remembering Chelsi, a bit about her life

Born in 1973, Chelsi became the first African-American to grab the title of Miss Texas.

At the age of 22, she snagged the title of Miss USA and Miss Universe in 1995, and vowed to fight racism after being identified as black in her pageantry circuit.

Notably, her mother was white and her father was African-American.

Family's statement

Chelsi's family remembers her fondly

The groundbreaking beauty queen's family remembers her fondly for leaving an "indelible mark" on everyone who knew her.

"Chelsi was our loving daughter, niece, and friend. We will miss her infectious laughter, and free spirit," the family's statement read. "She always appreciated the expressions of love and good will from people from all walks of life."

People from industry also paid tribute to her.

Instagram Post

Shanna Moakler pens down a touching tribute to Chelsi

Having a hard time writing this. Found out the news of my good friend passing. I really don't know how to express to the world what a funny, loving, smart! She was so fucking smart... to smart for her own good and talented young woman she was. Because her light was so big and so bright, she changed my life. If it wasn't for her, her beauty and her energy, her incredible destiny, I wouldn't even be where I am today. Even when she was sick she was positive and radiant and never stopped laughing. I was crying and she was cheering me up! Thats who she was. Chelsi, I will never forget our long nights talking, singing, fighitng, dreaming... pageantry will never be the same, the world and my heart will not be the same. I will cherish my last conversations with you, I wish I was a better friend or could have done more. I know you are meant for bigger things then this world offered you. Visit me in my dreams queen I will be missing you and all your witty banter. Love love love you. Godspeed.

A post shared by shannamoakler on Sep 8, 2018 at 1:54pm PDT

Twitter Post

Former Miss Teen USA remembers Chelsi

Rest In Peace Miss Universe 1995, Chelsi Smith ♥️ Such a sweet bubbly soul. My heart goes out to her family and loves ones during this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/d6BzKX4Fpk

— Kamie Crawford (@TheRealKamie) September 9, 2018

Information

A model, an actor and a singer

Chelsi was not just a beauty queen but also a model-turned-actress, and a singer. She was seen in films like 'Playas Ball' and 'One Night Stand' and participated in TV show 'Wheel of Fortune'. She is survived by her mother Mary Denise Trimble.