London: The 72nd Miss Universe competition will feature two transgender contestants for the first time.
Marina Machete, a 23-year-old flight attendant, recently won the Miss Portugal crown last week to qualify for the Miss Universe pageant. She joined another trans woman Rikkie Kolle, a Dutch model who claimed the Miss Netherlands title in July.
“As a trans woman, I’ve been through many obstacles along the way, but fortunately, and especially with my family, love proved to be stronger than ignorance,” Marina said.
Rikki, on the other hand, chose ‘victory’ to describe herself in one word.
“Miss Universe asked us to describe ourselves in one word. The word I’m choosing is ‘victory,’ because 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,” Rikki said.
The 72nd Miss Universe pageant, to be held in El Salvador in November, will feature 90 women from around the globe vying for the prestigious crown. Last year’s Miss Universe winner, R’Bonney Gabriel will crown her successor.
No trans woman has ever won the Miss Universe crown.
Spain’s Ángela Ponce was the first trans contestant in the pageant in 2018, but couldn’t advance to the finals.
Significantly, Thai media tycoon and transgender rights advocate Anne Jakkaphong Jakrajutatip bought the Miss Universe Organisation in 2022. She has spoken out about her experiences as a trans woman, and was instrumental behind the Miss Universe Organisation allowing not only trans women but also married and divorced women, pregnant women and women with children to join.
Come 2024, organisers will also remove the age limit that currently restricts entry to those who are 28 years old and under.
