Sundays were a special day for my Father and I; I always looked forward to them. We would drive from the Northeast side of Columbia, SC all the way to Fort Jackson to attend Daniel Circle Chapel. To continue our loyalty to our home church, it was no big deal. At this church, we felt loved; We truly had a church family.

In 2007, I had no idea who I was and what would be the next step for me after high school. As a Freshman in high school, you could probably imagine that everyday I changed my mind constantly on everything (totally indecisive). One things for sure is that I knew that I wanted to be somebody. At the time, it was hard for me to see how I would become the person that I wanted to be. The only person that I knew making a national impact to the Black community during that time from South Carolina was Angie Stone with her soulful singing.

One routine day at church, the Woman informing us of church announcements recognized a young Woman, sitting in a pugh closer to the podium, named Crystal Garrett. The announcer mentioned that she was Miss South Carolina 2007. Now, imagine me peeking over other members of the church trying to get a good look at who this Woman was. For a while I could see nothing but the back of her head. My excitement to see who she was distracted me throughout the entire church service. After the service, I insisted that my Father take me over to introduce me to her and her family. Our introduction was short and sweet, but it left a lasting impression on how far I could see myself in my quest to be somebody.

Now, 13 years later, I’ve caught up with Crystal Garrett for a short interview. I was elated that she agreed to answer a interview few questions.

Q1: Is there a woman, near or far, that inspired you to believe you can do anything in life you wanted to?

My mother and Oprah Winfrey. My mother is of course my original role model. She always believes that anything and everything is possible. She also taught me that your goals will never be handed to you on a silver platter, especially as a Black woman. I learned very early on that my work ethic and determination had to be strong so that I could be strong. Oprah Winfrey showed me just what I could accomplish by believing in the impossible and going down the road less traveled. A Black girl seeing a Black woman achieving her goals and not taking no for an answer every time she reached higher was a beacon of sparkly hope for me. I am very blessed God gave me the mother that I have and gave me an outlet to actually see Oprah on television to help mold and shape me very early in my life.

Q2: Did your understanding of hard work change throughout your journey in becoming Miss South Carolina? If so, how?

Oh, my understanding of hard work got even stronger and laser focused. I knew I wanted to eventually be crowned Miss South Carolina. I didn’t care how long it took, (It took 5 years to be exact!) I wasn’t going to quit. I was attending the University of South Carolina and competing at the same time. I had to be focused on my studies, my workout regime and continued community service. There were too many people that I wanted to help, that needed help in my state. I knew becoming Miss South Carolina would grant me a bigger microphone to enable me to help people by the masses. After I won Miss South Carolina 2007, I was given more responsibility in working with the American Lung Association and was able to tell my story all over the country of how I was diagnosed with asthma at the age of 4. My doctors told me I couldn’t accomplish my goals because of it, and through telling my story I was able to share how I accomplished all of my goals in spite of all the odds!

CrystalGarrett_MissSouthCarolina2007 — “There were too many people that I wanted to help, that needed help in my state. I knew becoming Miss South Carolina would grant me a bigger microphone to enable me to help people by the masses.”

-Crystal Garrett

Q3: Regarding your participation in prestigious pageants, what impact do you think you made on girls/ladies/women that look like you?

In America, being a Black woman is hard enough on a day to day basis. Then on top of that, I wanted to obtain a title that only one Black woman had obtained before me. Going into competition I was aware that people didn’t want me to be crowned simply based on the color of my skin, but I didn’t care. I am so proud to call Kimberly Aiken Cockerham my Miss South Carolina sister and applaud her for showing girls like me that anything can be done, no matter what your skin color is. I know young girls look up to me in the same manner. And I have inspired young woman to go after their goals and some have even competed in Miss South Carolina! It is a responsibility of a magnitude I can’t begin to explain but has and will follow me all of my life. I have always been cautious of the image I present to the world because of this fact. And I appreciate that God felt he could trust me with this responsibility. I do not take it lightly and am forever humbled.

Q4: What are some of the ways that you have continued to inspire the female public?

In my career as an actress/singer/model, I always dedicate myself to whatever project I have in the works. I don’t hold back, I practice more than I probably should, I re-work character back stories until my brain hurts, and I show up as much as I possibly can in that moment. Now that I am older and married and have even more responsibilities now, my work ethic and laser focus is something I never even knew was a possibility for a human being to have. But on top of that, I have learned to appreciate my weaknesses as a human being as well and to always show myself love, grace and kindness. This world is tough to live in as a Black human being and is even more tough in the entertainment industry. I hope that my life shows people like me, and all people, that through kindness, never taking no for an answer to those big questions of taking leaps forward, and leaning on each other will present a survival kit to thriving! I have had little girls look at me like I’m a unicorn! And tell me they want to be like me. I try to plant the seeds to let little Black girls, and Black women alike understand that they can take what I’ve done and make their own path. And do it even better than me! That’s what it’s all about. It doesn’t stop with me.

Be sure to catch up and connect with Crystal Garrett on her Instagram platform @crystalgarrett_

Interview w/ Miss South Carolina 2007: Crystal Garrett

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