Crystal Renee Hayslett: From Costume Designer to Television Star

Crystal Renee Hayslett has emerged as one of the most compelling figures in contemporary American television, seamlessly transitioning from behind-the-scenes costume design to becoming the breakout star of Tyler Perry’s hit series Sistas and its spin-off Zatima. Her journey from a small town in Tennessee to the bright lights of Hollywood represents a masterclass in determination, versatility, and authentic storytelling that resonates with audiences nationwide.

Crystal Hayslett’s Early Life and Educational Foundation

Crystal Renee Hayslett was born on October 18, 1982, in the close-knit community of Martin, Tennessee. Growing up in this small Tennessee town, Crystal developed an early passion for the performing arts, frequently participating in local church events and theater productions that would later serve as the foundation for her entertainment career.

Her formative years were marked by a strong emphasis on education and faith, values instilled by her supportive family. Crystal’s father, Jerry Hayslett, played a significant role in her upbringing, and her family’s encouragement would prove instrumental in her pursuit of ambitious dreams beyond her small-town origins.

After graduating from Westview High School, Crystal pursued higher education at the University of Tennessee at Martin, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication and Public Relations in 2006. This educational foundation in communications would later prove invaluable in her multifaceted career spanning acting, production, and media hosting.

Crystal Hayslett’s Professional Journey: From Capitol Hill to Hollywood

Political Beginnings

Crystal’s professional journey took an unexpected detour when, during her junior year at UT Martin, she secured a prestigious internship on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. She worked in Senator Lamar Alexander’s office, gaining valuable experience in the political arena. This experience provided her with professional skills and a broader perspective on public service and communication.

However, despite the stability and prestige of her Capitol Hill position, Crystal felt a divine calling to pursue her creative dreams. In a bold move that would define her career trajectory, she made the decision to leave Washington, D.C., in 2009 and relocate to Atlanta to chase her artistic aspirations.

Tyler Perry Studios: The Launchpad

Crystal’s entry into the entertainment industry began humbly but strategically at Tyler Perry Studios in 2012, where she started as a production assistant. Her exceptional work ethic and keen eye for fashion quickly caught attention, leading to her promotion to costume designer for background actors.

 

 

 

 

 

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Her talent in costume design became evident through her work on numerous Tyler Perry productions, including:

• The Haves and the Have Nots

• If Loving You Is Wrong

• Too Close to Home

• The Paynes

• Tyler Perry’s Young Dylan

Additionally, she contributed her costume design expertise to several major films:

• The 5th Wave (2016)

• Boo! A Madea Halloween (2016)

• Sleepless (2017)

• Boo 2! A Madea Halloween (2017)

• Acrimony (2018)

• Nobody’s Fool (2018)

• A Madea Family Funeral (2019)

• Tyson’s Run (2022)

Crystal’s exceptional work as a costume designer eventually led to her becoming Tyler Perry’s personal stylist, a role she held for five years. This position not only showcased her fashion expertise but also built a strong professional relationship with Perry that would prove transformative for her career.

Breakthrough in Acting: The Birth of Fatima

Sistas: The Star-Making Role

Crystal’s transition from behind-the-scenes work to on-screen stardom came in 2019 when Tyler Perry cast her as Fatima Wilson in the BET comedy-drama series Sistas. The casting was somewhat serendipitous—Perry had observed Crystal’s natural charisma and urged her to audition for the role while she was still working as his stylist.

According to Tyler Perry’s official statement on BET, “She worked in my wardrobe department. She was my stylist for many years. She never told me that she wanted to act or even that she could act… After I created Sistas, she reluctantly asked if she could audition for a small role. So I said I’ll write a character for you, but you better kill it. And she KILLED IT! Fatima was born!”

Sistas follows a group of single Black women navigating their complicated love lives, careers, and friendships in modern Atlanta. Crystal’s portrayal of Fatima, a tough legal assistant with a sharp wit and strong personality, quickly resonated with audiences. Initially cast in a recurring role during the first season, her performance was so compelling that she was promoted to series regular for the second season.

The show has become BET’s #1 scripted series with Black viewers, demonstrating the cultural impact and commercial success of Crystal’s breakthrough performance.

Zatima: The Spin-off Success

The chemistry between Crystal’s Fatima and Devale Ellis’s character Zac proved so captivating that Tyler Perry created a dedicated spin-off series, Zatima, which premiered on BET+ on September 22, 2022. The series focuses specifically on Zac and Fatima’s relationship journey, exploring the complexities of love, trust, and commitment in contemporary relationships.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the spinoff was part of Perry’s broader deal with ViacomCBS that “runs through 2024, calls for Perry to produce 90 episodes annually of original drama and comedy series for BET and its streaming service”.

Zatima has been renewed for multiple seasons, with the fourth season premiering on September 11, 2025. Crystal serves not only as the lead actress but also as a consulting producer, demonstrating her expanding influence behind the camera as well.

Media Empire: Keep It Positive, Sweetie

Beyond her acting success, Crystal has built a substantial media presence through her podcast and talk show Keep It Positive, Sweetie (KIPS). Launched in 2023, the show has garnered over 11 million YouTube views and has become a significant platform for empowering conversations.

In September 2025, Crystal announced that KIPS would join Charlamagne Tha God’s Black Effect Podcast Network, distributed by iHeartMedia. According to Essence Magazine, “Since launching in 2023, KIPS has racked up more than 11 million YouTube views, drawing fans who show up for Hayslett’s mix of humor, honesty, and the kind of spiritual grounding that feels rare in today’s algorithm economy.”

Crystal has successfully expanded KIPS into a full-scale brand, producing sold-out live shows and staging activations at major events including the BET Experience and Sarah Jakes Roberts’ Woman Evolve Conference. A live winter show was scheduled for November 22, 2025, in Washington, D.C.

Financial Success and Net Worth

Crystal Hayslett’s net worth is estimated at $3 million as of 2024, representing significant financial growth from her diverse entertainment career. Her wealth stems from multiple revenue streams:

• Acting salaries from Sistas and Zatima

• Costume design fees from previous productions

• Producer credits and consulting roles

• Podcast and media ventures through KIPS

• Brand partnerships and endorsements

• Speaking engagements and live appearances

Her financial success reflects not only her talent but also her strategic approach to building a diversified entertainment portfolio that extends beyond traditional acting roles.

Personal Life and Relationships

Crystal maintains a notably private personal life, particularly regarding romantic relationships. As of 2024, she is publicly single, having successfully kept her dating life away from media scrutiny. This privacy is particularly remarkable in an industry where personal relationships often become public fodder.

In a candid interview with Womanly Magazine, Crystal shared insights into her self-care practices: “Self-care is essential to my wellbeing, and I practice it daily. Typically, when we first wake up, most of us innately pick up our phones. I currently have a no phone rule when I wake up until I’ve prayed and meditated”.

Despite persistent rumors linking her romantically to Tyler Perry due to their close professional relationship, both have consistently denied any romantic involvement. Their relationship remains strictly professional, built on mutual respect and shared creative vision.

Physical Characteristics and Public Image

Crystal stands 5’6″ tall (168 cm) and maintains a healthy lifestyle that reflects her commitment to wellness. Her fitness routine includes yoga, pilates, HIIT cardio, weight training, running, tennis, and cycling, demonstrating her dedication to holistic wellbeing.

Her social media presence (@luvcrystalrenee) showcases her professional projects, inspirational content, and glimpses into her daily life while maintaining appropriate boundaries. She describes herself as an “Actor – Producer – Host” with faith as a central element of her identity.

Awards and Recognition

Crystal’s contributions to entertainment have been recognized through various honors:

• 2021 Outstanding Young Alumni Award from the University of Tennessee at Martin

• Urban Bridgez Awards wins alongside the Sistas cast in 2023

• Recognition as one of the entertainment industry’s rising stars

Her alma mater has particularly celebrated her success, with Crystal making a $5,000 donation to the UTM Call Me MiSTER program through the Crystal Renee Hayslett Foundation.

Current Projects and Future Endeavors

As of 2024-2025, Crystal continues to star in both Sistas and Zatima, with both series maintaining strong viewership and critical acclaim. Recent social media posts suggest she is developing new film projects that may showcase different aspects of her acting range.

Her Keep It Positive, Sweetie podcast continues to grow under the Black Effect Podcast Network, with season 9 featuring high-profile guests and continuing to address important topics around healing, growth, and empowerment.

Crystal has also hinted at expanding her production work and potentially developing original content that reflects her vision for authentic storytelling and positive representation in media.

Cultural Impact and Legacy

Crystal Hayslett’s career represents more than personal success; it embodies the power of authenticity, perseverance, and strategic career building in the entertainment industry. Her journey from small-town Tennessee to Hollywood stardom provides inspiration for aspiring artists, particularly those from similar backgrounds who may feel limited by their circumstances.

As noted in Essence Magazine’s profile, “Hayslett carves her own path wherever she goes… A believer in ‘staying ready so you don’t have to get ready,’ when the opportunity arose for the Tennessee native to step into the limelight, she did so with fervor and a magnetic energy that took Fatima from a small role in the show to a series regular”.

Her commitment to creating content that uplifts and empowers, both through her acting roles and her media ventures, has established her as a positive influence in contemporary entertainment. The success of Sistas and Zatima has contributed to important conversations about Black love, relationships, and professional success in modern media.

Through Keep It Positive, Sweetie, Crystal has created a platform that extends her influence beyond entertainment into meaningful dialogue about faith, healing, and personal growth. This multifaceted approach to her career demonstrates her understanding of the responsibility that comes with her platform and her commitment to using it positively.

Crystal Renee Hayslett’s story continues to unfold, with each chapter building upon her foundation of talent, determination, and authentic connection with her audience. As she expands her creative horizons and business ventures, she remains grounded in the values that brought her from Martin, Tennessee, to the heights of Hollywood success, proving that dreams backed by hard work and faith can indeed become reality.