2023-07-09 21:39:45
With the intention of showing that it is possible to achieve this, Rikkie Valerie Kollé celebrated being the first transgender woman to represent the Netherlands in Miss Universe, and the second in the world to enter the selected group.
Before her, Ángela Ponce made history by representing Spain in 2018.
“It’s unreal but I can call myself @missnederland 2023. It was an educational and wonderful process, my year can’t go wrong anymore. I am so proud and happy that I cannot describe it. I made my community proud and showed that it can be done. And yes, I am a trans woman and I would like to share my story, but I am also Rikkie and that is what counts for me. I did this with my own strength and I enjoyed every moment. I want to thank the jury and the entire Miss Netherlands team for the trust, this is just the beginning,” the 22-year-old said in a post she shared on Instagram.
According to several interviews that the woman has given and that are reproduced by media such as La Vanguardia, her transition process began when she was barely 8 years old. Her parents and relatives supported her, so at the age of 11 she changed her name and at 16 she began taking female hormones.
He recently underwent gender reassignment surgery.
Kollé, in interviews, has also wanted to raise awareness about bullying with his story. The woman said that she was the victim of ridicule and that on several occasions she returned from school crying and wondering why her.
Now, he is grateful for the strength his family gave him in the process. “My dear family and friends, my N1 fans, have given me a lot of extra strength from the living room. And wherever you are in the world, I want to be there for you and be the example that I myself missed,” he also wrote.
The Miss Universe pageant will be held this 2023 in El Salvador.
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