Rikkie Valerie Kolle made history at the Miss Universe Netherlands pageant as its first transgender winner.
Rikkie Valerie from Breda in the South Netherlands clinched the title after competing on 9 July and was crowned by predecessor Ona Moody and the current Miss Universe, US contestant R’Bonney Gabriel.
In her entry profile, the 22-year-old model talked about what it meant for her as a member of the trans community, saying she aimed to be "a voice and role model."
“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."
The win means Rikkie Valerie Kolle will go on to compete against 24 others in the Miss Universe 2023 competition in December, which will take place in El Salvador.
Transgender contestants have been allowed to take part in the competition since 2012, and Rikkie Valerie is the second transgender woman to compete in Miss Universe after Angela Ponce from Spain, who qualified for the global part of the competition in 2018.
In celebration of her win, Rikkie Valeries shared a picture of her crowning moment, wearing a floor-length, corseted red gown and her sash, while her competitors clap and cheer.
In the caption she starts: “I DID IT” in English, before continuing in Dutch: "It's unreal but I can call myself @missnederland 2023. It was an educational and wonderful process, my year can't go wrong anymore. I am so proud and happy I can't describe it with."
She added: "I made my community proud and showed it can be done.🏳️⚧️ And yes I am a trans woman and I would like to share my story, but I am also Rikkie and that is what counts for me. I did this on my own strength and enjoyed every moment. ❤️
"I want to thank the jury and everyone from the Miss Netherlands team for the trust, this is just the beginning. My dearest fellow finalists, we all put on a show, love you all girls❤️ My dear family and friends, my N1 supporters, you have given me so much extra strength from the hall. And wherever you are in the world, I want to be there for you and be the example that I myself missed as a little me.
“On to many more adventures, let's get @missuniverse ready. So excited!!!” she finished. Now that's what you call a Miss Universe-worthy speech, right?
Thai businesswoman and former Project Runway host Anne Jakkapong Jakrajutatip owns the competition as of 2022, acquiring it after it was owned by men for 70 years — most recently by Donald Trump.
She transitioned in her 30s and when she acquired the business, she promised that she would “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”, reports NOLA.com.
During the 2022 Miss Universe pageant, Anne received a standing ovation from the crowd when she said of the event: “From now on it's gonna be run by women, owned by a trans woman, for all women around the world to celebrate the power of feminism. It's the moment, really, for women to take the lead."
