The title of "Miss Netherlands 2023" for the first time in history was received by a transgender woman: what Rikkie Valerie Kollé looks like (photo)?

The model Rikkie Valerie Kollé will represent her country in the Miss Universe pageant.

On Saturday, July 8, 2023, a beauty contest was held at the AFAS theater in Leiden, the Netherlands, where the most beautiful girl in the country was chosen. The winner was 22-year-old Rikkie Valerie Kolle, who made history by becoming the first transgender woman to win a national title in the Netherlands.

Rikkie's victory secured her a spot as the Dutch representative at the 72nd Miss Universe 2023 pageant, where girls from all over the world will compete for the beauty queen crown.

It should be noted that Kollé's victory is of great historical significance, since she is the second transgender participant to ever participate in a beauty pageant. The first transgender model to compete in Miss Universe was Angela Ponce from Spain, who made history in 2018.

“I did it,” the model wrote on her Instagram page, and shared a few shots from the award.

Rikkie Valerie is a 22-year-old Dutch Moluccan model and actress from Breda who strives to be a voice and role model for the queer community to encourage them to follow their dreams.

According to hindustantimes , in an interview, Rikkie noted that the queer community is facing huge pressure and rejection from her families, but she has passed her path to becoming Miss Netherlands 2023, and to accepting herself as a transgender with the support and love of their families.

What the new "Miss Netherlands 2023" Rikkie Valerie Kollé looks like (photo)?