First transgender Miss Netherlands aims for Miss Universe

This year, the Netherlands crowned its first transgender pageant queen, who will represent the country at Miss Universe.

Rikkie Valeria Kolle, 22, a biological male who identifies as a transgender woman, defeated nine other women to become Miss Universe's third transgender contender in 72 years.

"I made my community proud and demonstrated that it is possible." And sure, I am a trans woman who wants to share her story, but I am also Rikkie, and that is what matters to me," Kolle stated in a second Instagram post to over 27,000 followers on Sunday.

"I'd like to thank the judges and everyone on the Miss Netherlands team for their confidence; this is only the beginning."

Kolle recounts her previous experience as a model and actor before to the pageant. Kolle is of Dutch descent, but he also claims Maluku Islands ancestry.

The worldwide pageant will be held in El Salvador after the other 37 participating countries have chosen their delegates, the last of which will be in November.

Transgender contestants have been allowed to compete in the Miss Universe Pageant since 2012. Former President Donald Trump still owned Miss Universe at the time, and Canada welcomed the first transgender Miss Canada.

So date, no transgender contestant has been crowned Miss Universe. In 2018, Thai transgender business owner Anne Jakrajutatip purchased Miss Universe.