A transgender woman has earned the accolade of Miss Netherlands for the first time in the pageant’s 94-year history.
Rikkie Valerie Kolle, 22, fought off stiff competition to make history at the AFAS Theatre in Leusden on Saturday.
By being crowned champion, Rikkie will become the second transgender competitor to take part in a Miss Universe pageant, after Spanish model Angela Ponce took part in 2018.
Rikkie from Breda in south Netherlands will jet off to El Salvador in December as one of the 25 contestants taking part in the latest iteration of Miss Universe.
Earning her spot on the plane, Rikkie is said to have impressed the jury with her “iron strong story” and “clear mission”.
In her entry profile, Rikkie set out her ambition to become “a voice and role model.”
The Dutch-Moluccan model and actress said: “I know better than anyone what it’s like to feel alone and not be surrounded by only positive thoughts.
“When I was little Rik and came out as transgender, it wasn’t easy for everyone and I also suffered from it.”
She added: “Through my commitment and strength, I hope to bring about change in society.”
Knowing she was “born in the wrong body,” Kolle changed her name from Rik to Rikkie at the age of 11 and was bullied relentlessly for her identity.
She said on Instagram: “Transitioning from male to female became something that made me feel at home.
“I endured teasing and would go home crying. I would think, “Why me, why is this happening to me?” But I always had the support of my loving family and friends.”
Rikkie started the transitioning process at 16 by taking female hormones, before undergoing gender affirmation surgery in January this year.
Miss Universe Organisation is now owned by Anne Jakkapong Jakrajutatip, a Thair businesswoman and reality star who is herself transgender.