On July 8, 2023, Rikkie Valerie Kollé made history by becoming the first transgender model to be crowned Miss Netherlands 2023. According to World360news, the beauty pageant winner comes from Breda and wants to be a voice and role model for the gay community.
Nathalie Mogbelzada (26) from Amsterdam was the first runner-up. Meanwhile, Habiba Mostafa and Lou Dirchs were crowned Miss Congeniality and Miss Social Media respectively. Furthermore, R’Bonnet Gabriel, the popular Miss Universe, attended the event which was held at the AFAS Theater in Leusden. However, Rikkie Valerie Kollé received criticism on social media, where several people called her a man. Others were angry that biological types in transition were taking the place of women in beauty pageants.
Check out this post on Instagram
22-year-old Rikkie Valerie Kollé is originally from Breda.
Rikkie Valerie Kollé’s date of birth and education are unclear, however, she is said to be 22 years old. She is the first transgender woman to win the title of Miss Netherlands 2023, and the second representative at the Miss Universe pageant after Spain’s Angela Ponce. Kollé has over 25,000 followers on Instagram and 135 photos, most of which show her posing in various outfits. While she was Miss Netherlands 2023, she posted updates on her Instagram story, starting from her appearance on stage to the announcement of the winner.
The model made her last post two days earlier, wearing a red satin dress. It was an official photo shoot for Miss Netherlands, says the description. Rikkie Valerie Kollé will next represent the Netherlands at the 72nd Miss Universe pageant in El Salvador in 2023.
In an interview with World360News, Kollé talked about the importance of being authentic to yourself. She said she intends to use the platform to empower everyone and guarantee that no one will face prejudice for revealing their identity. The pageant for Miss Netherlands 2023 started in May 2023 and the pageant was held on April 29, 2023 at the Anantara Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky Amsterdam. The finalists of the competition were chosen from a group of ten.
Habiba Mostafa, Ruby-Ann Chwatchko, Nazeli Kouki, Chanille Hupsel, Lidewei van der Staaij, Beate van der Weide, Nathalie Mogbelzada, Christina Cairo and Lou Dirchs were among the other participants. Zoey Ivory, Nicky Opheij, Monica van Ee, Ona Moody, Julia Sinning, Denise Speelman and Rahima Dirkse were also on the jury.
Transgender models who have previously won beauty contests
There have been several occasions when transgender models have won beauty contests. In March 2023, R’Bonney Gabriel was crowned Miss Universe 2022. She was previously crowned Miss USA 2022. Brian Nguyen, 19, was crowned Miss Greater Derry 2023 in November 2022 and received the crown, title and scholarship. However, the decision was questioned by @sk, and the contestant pulled the information about the amount of scholarship Nguyen earned from the website. In June 2021, Kataluna Enriquez was crowned Miss Nevada USA. She had already won the Miss Silver State USA pageant the previous year.
Categories: Entertaintment
Source: HIS Education