Rickie Valerie Kolle spread her arms wide and beamed at the crowd as she made history by becoming the first transgender woman to be crowned Miss Netherlands on Saturday.
The 22-year-old was greeted with rapturous applause, but behind her wide smile was someone who, in her own words, knows better than anyone what it’s like to feel alone.
Ms Kolle says becoming a woman was ‘not easy for everyone’ and she admits that she suffered greatly from it.
She was so determined to become a girl she changed her name from Rik to Rikkie at the age of just 11, convinced she was ‘born in the wrong body’. But in her youth, she faced years of bullying which saw her come home from school and cry, day after day.
‘I was born little Rik, but I wanted to be a big Rikkie. Transitioning from male to female became something that made me feel at home,’ she said on her Instagram.
Rikkie Valerie Kolle looked a picture of confidence when she beamed at the crowd as she became the first transgender woman to be crowned Miss Netherlands
Ms Kolle (pictured after gender affirmation surgery), who changed her name from Rik to Rikke at 11 and was teased for years, believes she was ‘born in the wrong body’
‘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.’
Ms Kolle was eight when she says her journey started but she was 16 when she started the process of transitioning into a woman, which included taking female hormones.
She then had gender affirmation surgery in January this year – something she described as ‘the day I became who I want to be’.
Yesterday, Ms Kolle made history by becoming the first trans woman to win the 94-year-old beauty pageant at the AFAS Theater in Leusden.
The model, who is from Breda in the south of the Netherlands, was understandably overcome by emotion while receiving her crown as she beat Habiba Mostafa, Lou Dirchs and Nathalie Mogbelzada to clinch the title.
When asked to describe herself in one word ahead of the final, Ms Kolle said in a video: ‘Victory’, adding: ‘Because as a little boy I conquered all things that came through my path and look at me now.
‘Standing here, as a strong, empowering and confident trans woman. Love is love. Be who you want to be and never forget always celebrate your pride.
The Dutch-Moluccan contestant impressed the jury with her ‘iron strong story’ and ‘clear mission’.
Ms Kolle (pictured) was eight when she says her journey started but she was 16 when she started the process of transitioning into a woman, which included taking female hormones
Having been crowned Miss Netherlands, Ms Kolle will go on to become only the second trans woman to compete at Miss Universe
The Dutch-Moluccan contestant (pictured) impressed the jury with her ‘iron strong story’ and ‘clear mission’
As she now looks ahead to becoming only the second transgender woman ever to compete in Miss Universe later this year, Ms Kolle says ‘transitioning made me feel at home’.
In her entry profile, Ms Kolle said that she aspired to be a ‘voice and role model’, adding: ‘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.’
‘Now years later I am stronger today than ever before, that is something I want to pass on to whoever needs it. Because as long as you always remain who you are, there is no one who can stand above you.
‘I am only too happy to commit myself to all little Rikkies who face rejection from their family, their transition to the person they desire to be. Help make their self-image and acceptance stronger, untouchable.
‘Through my commitment and strength, I hope to bring about change in society.’
Ms Kolle and other transgender contestants have been able to compete in Miss Universe since 2012 – when it was owned by former US President Donald Trump.
This is the moment that Rikkie Kolle was crowned Miss Netherlands 2023 at the finals in Leusden on Saturday
Ms Kolle beamed as she was crowned Miss Netherlands in Leusden. She was the first trans woman to win in the contest’s 94-year history
Ten years later, it has been bought by transgender reality star and Thai businesswoman Anne Jakkapong Jakrajutatip.
Ms Jakrajutatip promised ‘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’.
Earlier this year Daniela Arroyo González, who is openly transgender, was also selected to compete in the Puerto Rico competition.
The moment that Ms Kolle spread her arms wide and had a crown placed onto her head is one that will go down in history for the LGBT+ community.
She shared the moment to her now 30,000 followers on Instagram and wrote: ‘I DID IT!!!!!
‘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 I can’t describe it with. I made my community proud and showed it can be done.
Sharing the moment of winning to her now 30,000 followers on Instagram, Ms Kolle (pictured) wrote: ‘I DID IT!!!!!
Ms Kolle says ‘transitioning made me feel at home’. Her journey started from the age of eight
‘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 on my own strength and enjoyed every moment.’
She added: I want to thank the jury and everyone from the Miss Netherlands team for the trust, this is just the beginning. My dearest fellow finalists, we all put on a show, love you all girls. My dear family and friends, my N1 supporters, you have given me so much extra strength from the hall.
‘And wherever you are in the world, I want to be there for you and be the example that I myself missed as a little me. On to many more adventures, let’s get @missuniverse ready. So excited!!!
The transgender contestant will now head to El Salvador in December for Miss Universe 2023 where 24 countries will battle it out to claim the title.
Ms Kolle’s entry comes after Angela Ponce from Spain became the first trans woman to compete for the acclaimed Miss Universe title in 2018. She told NBC at the time that she ‘never could have imagined’ that she would make it to the final stage.
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