Current:Home > FinanceMiss Netherlands crowns its first openly trans woman Rikkie Valerie Kollé-LoTradeCoin
Miss Netherlands crowns its first openly trans woman Rikkie Valerie Kollé
lotradecoin top token listings View Date:2024-12-25 12:38:02
Rikkie Valerie Kollé has been named Miss Netherlands 2023, becoming the first transgender woman to take the title.
After winning the pageant on Saturday, Kollé will advance to represent her Dutch homeland at the Miss Universe pageant, set to take place in El Salvador later this year. The 22-year-old was crowned with a tiara by her predecessor, Ona Moody, onstage at the AFAS Theater in Leusden.
"I DID IT !!!!!" the model said in a post on Instagram. "Yes I'm trans and I want to share my story but I'm also Rikkie and that's what matters to me," Kollé wrote. "And wherever you are in the world, I want to be there for you and be the example that I missed as a little me."
Kollé, of Dutch and Indigenous Moluccan descent, is from the city of Breda, between Rotterdam and Antwerp. She said she wants to be a voice and role model for young women and queer people, according to her finalist page.
As someone who didn't feel supported after coming out as transgender at a young age, she said, she wants to leave those stories of suffering in the past.
Kollé won't be the first trans woman to compete for the Miss Universe crown. Angela Ponce became the pageant's first out trans contestant when she represented Spain in 2018. The 71-year-old competition first began allowing transgender contestants in 2012.
More trans women have been competing in the preliminary pageants in recent years. In 2021, former Miss Nevada Kataluna Enriquez became the first trans contestant in a Miss USA pageant. Trans woman and activist Daniela Arroyo González will compete for this year's Miss Universe Puerto Rico title next month.
Thai business mogul Anne Jakrajutatip, a trans activist who is also transgender, bought the Miss Universe Organization last year. She has said she's committed to advancing the organization as an inclusive platform and wants to transform the brand for the next generation.
"I don't call Miss Universe a beauty pageant anymore," the JKN Global CEO told Metro Weekly in January. "I call it a women's empowerment competition."
Kollé has another chance to make history: If she takes the Miss Universe title in December, she would be the first out trans woman to do so.
veryGood! (55)
Related
- Beyoncé's BeyGood charity donates $100K to Houston law center amid Jay
- National power outage map: Over 400,000 outages across East Coast amid massive winter storm
- Gov. Laura Kelly calls for Medicaid expansion, offers tax cut plan that speeds up end of grocery tax
- Federal prosecutor in NY issues call for whistleblowers in bid to unearth corruption, other crimes
- Oregon lawmakers to hold special session on emergency wildfire funding
- Bills fan killed outside Dolphins' Hard Rock Stadium after last weekend's game, police say
- $350 for Starbucks x Stanley quencher? Fighting over these cups isn't weird. It's American.
- Powerful storms bring heavy snow, rain, tornadoes, flooding to much of U.S., leave several dead
- How to watch 'A Charlie Brown Christmas' for free: Special date, streaming info
- Nick Saban is retiring from Alabama: A breakdown of his seven overall national titles
Ranking
- Mystery drones are swarming New Jersey skies, but can you shoot them down?
- South Carolina Republicans back trans youth health care ban despite pushback from parents, doctors
- Nick Saban retiring after 2023 season. 226 weeks show dominance as Alabama coach
- Security of Georgia's Dominion voting machines put on trial
- Fewer U.S. grandparents are taking care of grandchildren, according to new data
- 'The Fetishist' examines racial and sexual politics
- Arkansas’ prison board votes to fire corrections secretary
- Looking for a cheeseburger in paradise? You could soon find one along Jimmy Buffett Highway
Recommendation
-
Amazon's Thank My Driver feature returns: How to give a free $5 tip after delivery
-
Why oil in Guyana could be a curse
-
Federal lawsuit against Florida school district that banned books can move forward, judge rules
-
Blood tests offered in New Mexico amid query into ‘forever chemical’ contamination at military bases
-
Travis Kelce Praises Taylor Swift For Making Eras Tour "Best In The World"
-
Benny T's dry hot sauces recalled over undisclosed wheat allergy risk
-
The Voice Alum Lauren Duski Mourns Death of Mom Janis in Heartbreaking Tribute
-
5 candidates apiece qualify for elections to fill vacancies in Georgia House and Senate