Rikkie Valerie Kolle, the first transwoman to take home the Dutch title, will compete for Miss Universe.

Transgender model and actor Rikkie Valerie Kolle became the first male-born winner of the Miss Netherlands pageant on Saturday, held at the AFAS Theater in the town of Leusden. Kolle defeated nine female-born contestants to take home the crown for 2023, succeeding last year’s winner Ona Moody.

The 22-year-old will represent the Netherlands at the 72nd Miss Universe contest in El Salvador later this year, becoming only the second transgender contestant to advance to the international pageant. The first male-born Miss Universe contestant was Angela Ponce of Spain, who competed in 2018 but failed to advance to the final round.

In a sponsored Miss Universe Instagram post for Pride month, Kolle opted for “victory” as a one-word self-description, explaining “as a little boy, I conquered all the things that came through my path. And look at me now, standing here as a strong, empowering, and confident trans woman.”

A geezer won ‘Miss Netherlands 2023’.
Our entire civilisation needs obliterating so we can start again. pic.twitter.com/QonmMF2Gaj

— Paul Golding (@GoldingBF) July 9, 2023