By The First22-year-old Rikkie Valerie Kolle has been crowned Miss Netherlands, marking the first time that a biological man has won the prestigous title. The groundbreaking event challenges traditional beauty norms and cements a significant milestone in the nation’s pageant history.
Kolle celebrated her win with a post tp Instagram, writing, “I DID IT !!!!! đâ€ïž,” referring to her triumph as an “educational and beautiful journey.” She went on to express her overwhelming joy, saying, “I’m so proud and happy I can’t even describe it. Making my community proud and showing it can be done.”
Kolle is now set to compete in the Miss Universe pageant. The Miss Universe organization is currently under the ownership of Anne Jakrajutatipa, a transgender Thai woman.
Miss Universe first allowed trans competitors in 2012, during a time when it was owned by now-former President Donald Trump. Trump overturned rules at the organization to allow transgender contestant after a Canadian competitor who had been controversially disqualified for not being a “naturally born female.”
“We let her in,” Trump said at the time. “Weâll see what happens. Maybe sheâll do well, maybe she wonât. You have 58 different girls trying to be Miss Canada. Itâll be very interesting to see what happens. If for some reason she should win, well, then she has to win the Miss Universe contest. Everybody wants to be Miss Universe. I donât think itâs going to be easy.”
