In a groundbreaking moment for the Miss Netherlands pageant, Rikkie Valerie Kolle has become the first transgender woman to be crowned as the winner. The 22-year-old’s victory marks a significant step forward in inclusivity and gender diversity in beauty pageants.

Expressing her disbelief at being announced as the winner, Rikkie said, “I was in full disbelief the moment they called my name, I was like ‘oh my god, is this really happening’? You’re living through a really intense but also energizing period. And you just want to finish the great final with other contestants. I just enjoyed every single moment of it.”

Reflecting on her journey, Rikkie shared how she dreamed of winning pageants since childhood and how she has transformed from an insecure young boy to a confident and empowering woman. Despite receiving both positive and negative comments from around the world, including discouragement from entering the competition, Rikkie remains determined to break boundaries and use her platform to advocate for societal change.

While she has faced backlash in the Netherlands as well, Rikkie sees it as an opportunity to inspire and push forward her goals. Addressing the haters, she expressed gratitude for providing her with a larger platform and asserted her resilience, stating, “You won’t get rid of me. For all the other countries that still have this [hate comments], I want to say that we are not alone.”

As Miss Netherlands, Rikkie will now prepare for the upcoming Miss Universe competition in December. With rigorous training and preparation ahead, she is excited to represent her country on the international stage and continue advocating for inclusivity and acceptance.

Rikkie Valerie Kolle’s historic win not only celebrates her individual accomplishment but also signifies progress in dismantling barriers and promoting inclusivity in the beauty pageant industry.

Source: BBC