Transgender woman wins Miss Netherlands for the first time
A transgender woman has won the Miss Netherlands beauty pageant for the first time in the competition's history.
Model Rikkie Valerie Kolle clinched the title of the 94-year-old contest on Sunday after impressing the jury with her "iron strong story" and "clear mission".
The 22-year-old, from Breda in the south of the Netherlands, is the first transgender winner in the competition's 94-year history.
She will now go on to compete in the Miss Universe competition in El Salvador in December.
Ms Kolle will be the competition's second openly transgender competitor, after Spanish model Angela Ponce in 2018.
| Rikkie Kolle after being crowned Miss Netherlands 2023 Pic:Hollandse Hoogte/Shutterstock
| R'Bonney Gabriel, Miss Universe 2022, and Rikkie Kolle at the final of Miss Netherlands
In her entry profile, she said she aimed to be "a voice and role model."
"I know better than anyone what it's like to feel alone and not be surrounded by only positive thoughts," she wrote.
"When I was little Rik and came out as transgender, it wasn't easy for everyone and I also suffered from it."
She added: "Through my commitment and strength, I hope to bring about change in society."
Transgender contestants have been able to compete in the pageant since 2012 - when it was owned by former US President Donald Trump.
The competition is now owned by Thai businesswoman and reality star Anne Jakkapong Jakrajutatip - who is herself transgender.
She bought the company in 2022 and promised "not only to continue its legacy of providing a platform to passionate individuals from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and traditions, but also to evolve the brand for the next generation".
Source: news.sky.com
Trending News
3rd edition of APN dialogues launched in Accra
14:53AMC: Info Minister-designate concerned with misinformation; advocates media literacy
07:37KATH adds 3 more dialysis machines to treat kidney patients; 12 more coming soon
11:41Former Gender minister Nana Oye sues ex-husband for US$1.5m for defamation
07:02Voter registration brouhaha: Collins Dauda granted bail
12:53Dec polls: Protect journalists in the discharge of their duties – GJA President at AMC
07:19NDC youth activist jabs Bawumia on ‘I was joking’ comment
11:29Kasoa-Weija road floods: We didn’t have money to fix it– Asenso-Boakye
07:02EC corrects voter roll errors
12:20AMC: Prioritise advocacy on climate change – Chief of Staff to Journalists
07:06