Making the beauty pageant a wider platform for individuals to showcase their advocacy for the betterment of the world, Miss Universe has disclosed its openness to its applicants by debunking society’s beauty standards.

During the 72nd Miss Universe, netizens commended the organization for promoting the acceptance of beauty that is not based on body figures, gender, or maternal figures.

From accepting plus-size candidates to motherly figures, the Miss Universe has also opened the stage for two transgenders during the competitions.

Rikkie Valerie Kollé from the Netherlands and Mariana Machete from Portugal were named transgender during the prestigious beauty competition.

Being open to such a change in accepting such applicants, the organization and the said candidates have received positive comments for changing the rules on its applicants for this year’s competition.

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A post shared by Marina Machete (@marinamachetereis)

Rikkie Kollé from the Netherlands was recorded as the first delegate to win the Miss Universe Netherlands crown after winning its national competition on July 9.

“Yes, I’m a trans woman, and I like to share my story, but I’m also Rikkie, and that’s what matters to me. I did this on my own and enjoyed every moment of it,” she said during her win as Miss Universe Netherlands.

Even though the Netherlands’ bet was not able to get the crown, the beauty queen was still proud to raise the flag of a transwoman in such a competition. “Sharing my message and creating awareness Especially my dress has trans colors in it. I’m so proud of wearing my colors with pride,” she said.

Along with Kollé is Mariana Machete from Portugal, who was able to reach the top 20 Miss Universe candidates. Just like Kollé, Machete was also the first transwoman to get the Miss Universe Portugal crown and to represent their country on the international stage.

Before entering the Miss Universe competition, Machete was an advocate of protecting human rights, as she disclosed during the Miss Portugal 2023 pageant, and was able to be recognized as the ‘ most confident’ candidate among others.

In September 2022, the organization Miss Universe released new rules for its applicants, as they can now accept candidates who are transgender women, mothers, and plus-size models to empower the debunking of the typical standard of society when it comes to female beauty.

Photo credit:
https://www.instagram.com/rikkievaleriekolle/, https://www.instagram.com/marinamachetereis/