Who is Rikkie Kolle, the first trangender model to be crowned Miss Netherlands?

After winning Miss Netherlands, Rikkie Kolle is to become the second trans woman to compete at Miss Universe, which is owned by trans Thai businesswoman Anne Jakkaphong Jakrajutatip
Marina Licht
By Marina Licht
11th Jul 2023, 10:33am

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Contestant Rikkie Kolle poses after being crowned winner in the Miss Netherlands beauty pageant in Leusden, on July 8, 2023. A transgender woman has won the Miss Netherlands beauty pageant for the first time in the history of the tournament, saying she wanted to be a "voice and role model" for others. Rikkie Kolle, 22, from the southern town of Breda, was crowned at a ceremony on July 8 and will now take part in the Miss Universe contest in El Salvador, the organisers said. (Photo by Evert Elzinga / ANP / AFP) / Netherlands OUT (Photo by EVERT ELZINGA/ANP/AFP via Getty Images)Contestant Rikkie Kolle poses after being crowned winner in the Miss Netherlands beauty pageant in Leusden, on July 8, 2023. A transgender woman has won the Miss Netherlands beauty pageant for the first time in the history of the tournament, saying she wanted to be a "voice and role model" for others. Rikkie Kolle, 22, from the southern town of Breda, was crowned at a ceremony on July 8 and will now take part in the Miss Universe contest in El Salvador, the organisers said. (Photo by Evert Elzinga / ANP / AFP) / Netherlands OUT (Photo by EVERT ELZINGA/ANP/AFP via Getty Images)
Contestant Rikkie Kolle poses after being crowned winner in the Miss Netherlands beauty pageant in Leusden, on July 8, 2023. A transgender woman has won the Miss Netherlands beauty pageant for the first time in the history of the tournament, saying she wanted to be a "voice and role model" for others. Rikkie Kolle, 22, from the southern town of Breda, was crowned at a ceremony on July 8 and will now take part in the Miss Universe contest in El Salvador, the organisers said. (Photo by Evert Elzinga / ANP / AFP) / Netherlands OUT (Photo by EVERT ELZINGA/ANP/AFP via Getty Images)

Rikkie Kolle has made history by becoming the first transgender woman to be crowned Miss Netherlands. The 22-year-old changed her name from Rik to Rikkie at the age of 11 and explained her story on Instagram. 

Rikkie posted a photograph of herself in hospital on her Instagram with the date 31/01/23 with a heart emoji. “The day I became who I want to be and now I know most of my followers I think I was born in the wrong body. I was born lil Rik. But lil Rik wanted to be strong Rikie. Transitioning from male to female became something I felt at home, transgender woman as well. This journey started from the age of 8, I definitely went through many deep valleys.”

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Rikkie Valerie Kolle, who comes from Breda in the south of the Netherlands, beat Habiba Mostafa, Lou Dirchs and Nathalie Mogbelzada to win the title at the AFAS Theater in Leusden. She is now set to become the second transgender woman ever to compete in Miss Universe, which takes place later this year. 

Miss Universe, which was previously owned by Donald Trump, has been taken over by Thai businesswoman and transgender reality star Anne Jakkaphong Jakrajutatip. Anne, who has 6.9 million followers, bought Miss Universe for a reported $20m last year. 

When Anne made the acquisition, she said “We seek not only to continue its legacy of providing a platform to passionate individuals from diverse backgrounds, cultures and traditions, but also to evolve the brand for the next generation.”

According to reports, Anne had a difficult childhood and grew up in Thailand where she went to an all-male school. Anne is believed to have been both bullied and sexually harassed because of her gender identity. 

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Rikkie Valerie Kolle will compete in the Miss Universe Competition in December, which is to take place in El Salvador. According to Sky News, “Ms Kolle will be the competition’s second openly transgender competitor, after Spanish model Angela Ponce in 2018.”

Related topics:NetherlandsInfluencers

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