While beauty pageants have faced criticisms in the past for objectifying women and focusing excessively on appearances, Miss Universe is embracing a *new* era in 2023.
The world's most prestigious pageant has started putting inclusivity and feminism at the fore. History was made in September 2022 when the Miss Universe Organization, headed by Thai transwoman billionaire Anne Jakrajutatip, expanded its eligibility criteria to include married or divorced women and those with children for the first time in its 71-year history.
A year later, the organization also eliminated the age restriction. These changes came on the heels of allowing transgender beauty queens to participate. This was initially announced in 2012.
Anne's vision for Miss Universe emphasizes the promotion of “diverse cultures, social inclusion (and) gender equality.”
The 72nd edition of the Miss Universe pageant, with El Salvador as the host country, showcases what may be the most diverse group of candidates yet, thanks to recent criteria changes that break traditional pageant stereotypes.
Here are the Miss Universe 2023 hopefuls challenging outdated beauty queen standards:
1. Miss Netherlands Rikkie Valeri Kollé
At 22, Dutch-Moluccan model and actress Rikkie Valerie Kollé made history by becoming the first transgender woman to win the Miss Universe Netherlands title.
She is the second transgender woman to participate in the Miss Universe pageant, following Spain's Angela Ponce in 2018.
Rikkie should have been celebrating her victory, but many conservatives expressed their disappointment over these milestones. In her interview with NBC News in August 2023, Rikkie opened up about the hurtful comments on social media, including threats via direct messages on Instagram.
Rikkie said, "I thought we were like really accepting so far in the Netherlands, but the hate comments showed the other side of our society. I think that's hopefully a wake-up call for much people because the reactions are half very good and the other half is like really ashamed to me.
"In my Instagram DM on daily now, I got those threats. It's like really heavy to read, but I can pull it off and just focus on the good things that are happening and the lovely reactions I got from like my queer community... But yeah, it's very heavy sometimes."
The beauty queen added, "For now, I fully ignore it. I'll focus on the good things that are coming to my way. But yeah, it's really difficult because you think you had a victory and now everyone is backlashing me and putting me down only for the person I want to be. For example, I didn't make like a fight with someone or said something wrong.
"I'm just Rikkie. And I want to show the world Rikkie, and, of course, my trans story. And being backlashed for that is... it's really sad."
In the face of these challenges, Rikkie remains resolute in her mission to serve as a voice and role model for young women and the LGBTQIA+ community.
2. Miss Portugal Marina Machete
After Rikkie Valerie Kollé's win, Marina Machete was crowned Miss Universe Portugal in October 2023.
In the days leading up to the competition, Marina shared on Instagram that she was "proud to be the first trans woman to compete for the title of Miss Universe Portugal." She also expressed gratitude for the opportunity, having been ineligible to compete for many years.
Just like Rikkie, Marina is a passionate advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and inclusivity.
3. Miss Guatemala Michelle Cohn
On Sunday, August 6, 29023, pageant veteran Michelle Cohn made history by becoming the first mother—she has a son and a daughter—to secure the Miss Universe Guatemala crown.
Read: Miss Guatemala Universe 2023, kauna-unahang Miss Universe candidate na may asawa't anak
The 28-year-old beauty queen outshone 14 other candidates.
Michelle previously represented Guatemala in the Miss Grand International 2013 pageant. She is married to Spanish businessman Andres Matheu.
4. Miss Colombia Camila Avella
Camila Avella also achieved a historic milestone by being the first Miss Universe Colombia winner who has a husband and a child.
Before winning the Miss Universe Colombia title, Camila's last involvement in pageantry occurred in 2018. She had been set to participate in the Miss Colombia 2018 pageant, but the pageant organization withdrew her from the competition because of certain contest regulations.
In an interview with hola.com, Camila revealed that, at one point, she believed her chances were gone due to past rejections, and she decided to pursue a different dream: starting a family.
However, when she learned that Miss Universe had removed its restrictions, her motivation was reignited. She said, "In 2018, I had understood that my opportunity was over. One receives a lot of ‘no’s over the course of their lives and you can’t stay stuck in them, you have to move on.
"When I made the decision to get married and have a child, I was surprised by the news of the Miss Universe. I never thought it would happen. I think what Miss Universe is doing is very important, because they’re showing the inclusion that they’ve been discussing over past years.
"One role is not going to define us and we’re finally breaking down those stereotypes that have held us back for so long. In the end, that Miss Universe decision motivated me to try again."
5. Miss Latvia Kate Alexeeva
Kate Alexeeve is currently the oldest Miss Universe 2023 candidate.
Kate was supposed to join the Miss Universe 2022 batch of candidates but tested positive for COVID-19 before her flight to the U.S., the host country.
In July 2023, the Miss Universe Latvia Organization chose her to represent their country at the pageant's 72nd edition. Her participation in Miss Universe also marks Latvia's return to the pageant, ending its hiatus that began in 2006.
6. Miss Nepal Jane Dipika Garrett
Nepal's representative for Miss Universe 2023, Jane Dipika Garrett, introduces a new dimension of diversity to the competition.
At 22 years old, Jane made history as the first plus-size model to clinch the title in her home country. Her remarkable achievement shatters stereotypes, and establishes her as an influential figure in promoting body positivity.
Jane's participation in the Miss Universe Nepal 2023 pageant sends a compelling message: beauty transcends various shapes and sizes, and it's high time that the world embraces and applauds a broader spectrum of body types.
7. Miss Pakistan Erica Robin
Erica Robin marked a groundbreaking moment as the inaugural representative of Pakistan at the Miss Universe pageant.
In her interview with Dyan Castillejo of ABS-CBN News, Erica said she hopes to inspire women from all backgrounds to pursue their dreams.
"So this is the first time after 71 years that Pakistan is being represented. I want to tell the world that no matter where you come from no matter what your background is, I don't come from a rich family, but what I do have is a purpose in life. And the purpose is not just for me and myself. It's for others as well.
"So I believe if your goal in life is to be a better person and to see the change in the world, the whole universe will help you out to achieve it all. There were many difficulties that I faced as soon as I was crowned, but I stand here as an empowered woman and so ready to participate and show what Pakistan has to offer."
READ MORE:
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- Online voting for this year's Miss Universe pageant now open
- Michelle Dee salutes Pauline Amelinckx after Miss Supranational 2023 near win
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*This story originally appeared on Pep.ph. Minor edits have been made by Cosmo.ph editors.
