It seems like gender stereotypes are all set to take the backseat at beauty pageants with this latest development. In an inspiring move, Rikkie Valerie Kolle pushed aside traditional pageant standards by becoming the first transgender model to win the prestigious title of Miss Netherlands 2023 and only the second transgender participant to win the coveted title at a national beauty pageant. The model took to Instagram to share her victory and posted a picture with the caption that read, "I DID IT!". Her win has, not only created history but is a significant milestone for the queer community. With her glorious smile and in a red crimson corset gown, Rikkie looked nothing short of glamorous as she wore her crown. Her flowing silhouette created an appealing vision featuring a strappy pattern with a corset style and a thigh-high slit.
Her caption, in her native language, translated to, "It's unreal but I can call myself @missnederland 2023. It was an educational and wonderful process, my year can't go wrong anymore." She then proceeded to take acknowledge her own role and take pride in the achievement that has made a community-wide impact, "I made my community proud and showed it can be done."
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Not just her final look but her other styles during the course of the pageant were equally noteworthy. In a colour-blocked swimsuit, the model absolutely looked her stylish best. Her one-shoulder number featured bright pink, orange and red tones.
According to LiveMint, Rikkie aims to dedicate her career to supporting individuals who have faced rejection from their families during their transition journey. Rikkie will now prepare to represent the Netherlands in Miss Universe 2023. Amsterdam's Nathalie Mogbelzada was named first runner-up while Habiba Mostafa was awarded Miss Congeniality and Lou Dirchs bagged the title of Miss Social Media.
The Dutch-Moluccan model is forging an aspirational path for many in the LGBTQ community. This marks a historic moment as she is only the second transgender person to have been crowned at a national beauty pageant. In 2018, it was Spain's Angela Ponce who made history by becoming the first-ever transgender model to enter the final round of a national beauty pageant. She won the title of Miss Universe, Spain that year.
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Global events are serving to shake up and revise beauty pageant conventions. Recently, it was Sofia Saloman, a transgender model and macro-influencer from Venezuela who attempted to challenge beauty pageant norms by applying to participate in this year's Miss Venezuela beauty pageant. If Sofia's application is accepted, she will be the first transgender woman to participate in the Miss Venezuela contest.
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