Transgender woman is crowned Miss Netherlands for the first time

A transgender woman has been crowned Miss Netherlands for the first time in beauty pageant history and is now set to compete for the Miss Universe crown.

Rikkie Valerie Kolle, 22, made history after winning the competition in the Dutch country on Sunday.

The new Miss Netherlands wore a red gown and was overwhelmed with emotion as she received her crown from her predecessor Ona Moody and reigning Miss Universe R’Bonney Gabriel of the USA.

The model emerged victorious with a bouquet of flowers while her competitors applauded. She later took to Twitter to exclaim ‘I DID IT!’

Miss Universe 2023 will take place in El Salvador in December, although an exact date has yet to be confirmed, and will see contestants from 24 countries fight to claim the title.

Kolle is pictured with R’Bonney Gabriel from the USA, who won Miss Universe in 2022

The star will be the second transgender woman to compete in Miss Universe.

In 2018, Ángela Ponce from Spain became the first trans woman to compete for the acclaimed title of Miss Universe.

She told NBC at the time that she “could never have imagined” that she would make it to the final stage.

Transgender contestants have been able to compete for the crown since 2012.

Thai businesswoman and advocate Anne Jakrajutatip, who bought the Miss Universe organization in October 2022, also identifies as transgender.

Previously, the contest system was owned by former US President Donald Trump.

Ms. Jakrajutatip vowed to continue the pageant’s legacy of empowering women and “evolve the brand for the next generation.”

And earlier this year, Daniela Arroyo González, who is openly transgender, was selected to compete in the Puerto Rico competition.

Kolle will be the second transgender woman to compete in Miss Universe

The new Miss Holland wore a red dress and was excited to receive her crown.

She was crowned by her predecessor Ona Moody and the reigning Miss Universe R’Bonney Gabriel.