Our Miss Netherlands looks back positively on her adventure.
Saturday evening was the day in El Salvador: the final of the Miss Universe pageant. Our own Miss Netherlands Rikkie Kollé was shining on the world stage, but unfortunately did not manage to take the title. Nevertheless, she looks back on a ‘magical’ evening.
From Miss Netherlands…
The final of Miss Netherlands took place in July. 22-year-old Rikkie Kollé was the first trans woman to win this year and was crowned Miss Netherlands – something that caused many reactions online. After winning, Rikkie received thousands of hate messages and death threats. Very intense! “I never expected that people would become so obsessed with my win in a negative way,” she told Grazia after the final. “Also because I thought we were much further along in the Netherlands. I thought we were more inclusive. Unfortunately I was wrong about that.
To Miss Universe!
On Saturday evening the time had come and Rikkie made her appearance during the Miss Universe pageant in El Salvador. Unfortunately, the adventure soon ended for Miss Netherlands. After the almost ninety participants had made their appearance, the twenty countries that advanced to the final were announced. The Netherlands was not among them. Ultimately, the title of Miss Universe went to Miss Nicaragua Sheynnis Palacios.
Magical and an honor
Rikkie will not take the Miss Universe title with her to the Netherlands, but she does look back on a wonderful adventure. “It was magical and an honor to be on this stage,” she said in a statement. “I am very grateful to the Miss Netherlands organization for the support I have received to be able to spread my message internationally and feel the recognition,” says Rikkie.
Curious about how her participation from Miss Netherlands to the Miss Universe election went? This was recorded in a documentary that will be broadcast on NPO 3 on Thursday, December 21. “So proud!”
Source: Grazia, RTL Boulevard | Image: NL Image
