Which Miss Universe 2023 contestants are transgender?
The 72nd Miss Universe pageant being held in El Salvador is making headlines for achieving new heights in the beauty pageant. This year, the pageant welcomed two transgender contestants, Miss Portugal Marina Machete and Miss Netherlands Rikki Kole, marking a historic moment in the history of the global pageant. If either of these two transwomen emerge victorious, they will be the first women to wear the coveted Miss Universe crown. Rikki Kole, a 22-year-old model and LGBTQIA+ rights activist, was crowned Miss Netherlands in July, beating nine other finalists. She follows in the footsteps of Angela Ponce, who represented Spain at Miss Universe in 2018 as the first transgender contestant. Best known for her appearance on Holland’s Next Top Model, Kole is not just a model but a passionate advocate of equality. In a video for the Voice for Change campaign, she shared her commitment to fighting against bullying, a challenge she faced because of her gender identity. Before becoming Miss Netherlands, Kole spoke openly about her transgender journey, emphasizing the importance of self-empowerment.
