Rikkie Valerie Kollé made history Saturday when she was named Miss Netherlands 2023 as the first transgender woman to be crowned in Dutch history.
“I want to be a voice and role model for all young women and queer people,” Kollé said in a statement shared with USA TODAY. “I know better than anyone else what it’s like to feel alone and not be surrounded by only positive thoughts.”
Kollé, 22, said that when she was younger and came out as transgender, it wasn’t easy. “I struggled and it was a very rough time. Today, I am stronger than ever before.”
She added that she aims to bring change as the new Miss Netherlands with hopes that younger generations will have a better experience.
“It’s never too late and help is always there. That has always been my guiding principle and I want help and spread it with my own story and experience,” she said.
The Breda, Netherlands, native who works as a content creator and model, will advance to the global round of the pageant, and has a shot to become the first transgender Miss Universe. The Miss Universe competition, which is newly owned by a transgender woman, has allowed transgender participation since 2012. The first transgender woman to compete in the global Miss Universe pageant, Angela Ponce, first walked the stage in 2018.
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Thai business tycoon and transgender activist Chakrapong “Anne” Chakrajutathib, who is the founder and CEO of JKN Global Group Public Co. Ltd, purchased the Miss Universe Organization for $20 million in October.
Chakrajutathib is a celebrity in Thailand who has starred in reality shows and is vocal about being a transgender woman. She helped establish a nonprofit group, Life Inspired For Transsexual Foundation, to promote trans rights.
JKN said at the time that it acquired the rights to the Miss Universe pageant from IMG Worldwide LLC, a sports, talent and events marketing company which has held the Miss Universe Organization since 2015. Former U.S. President Donald Trump was part owner of the pageant rights from 1996 until IMG’s purchase.
Kollé shared photos of the competition on Instagram, including shots of her crowning moment. “I DID IT !!!!!” she wrote.
Contributing: The Associated Press
