A Transgender woman won the title of Miss Netherlands for the first time in the beauty pageant history and now has a shot at Miss Universe.
Rikkie Valerie Kolle, 22, made history by winning the title of Miss Netherlands on Sunday, July 9.
She won the title against nine finalists and was crowned by the current Miss Universe R’Bonney Gabriel.
“I DID IT!!!!!” Rikkie wrote on her Instagram.
“I’m so proud and happy I can’t even describe it. Making my community proud and showing it can be done,” the winner added.
Miss Universe 2023 pageant will be held in December this year in El Salvador. The exact date of the competition has not been confirmed yet.
In 2018 Angela Ponce from Spain was the first-ever trans person to participate in the Miss Universe Beauty Pageant. She represented her home country, Spain, in the international contest.
Speaking to NBC at the time, Ponce said that she never thought in her wildest dreams that she would make it to the final stage of the acclaimed Miss Universe competition.
After Ponce, Kolle is the second transgender person who is set to compete in this year’s Miss Universe pageant.
According to the Insider, “The Miss Universe Organization has made strides to be more inclusive in recent years, including last August when it was revealed mothers and married women could now compete.”
“Anne Jakapong Jakrajutatip purchased the organization in October 2022. Jakrajutatip is the first woman to own Miss Universe during its 70-year history and the third richest transgender person in the world.”
Miss Netherlands, Official Instagram page, also shared Kolle’s photo on the account and wrote,
“This finalist shined throughout the show and has also made the greatest progress along the way. She has an iron-strong story with a clear mission. The jury is convinced that the organization will enjoy working with this young woman.”
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Source: Insider
