Marina Machete has made history by being crowned Miss Portugal 2023, thus becoming the first transgender woman to compete for the universal crown of her country. At 28 years old, Machete, who is a flight attendant and speaks English perfectly, beat 16 participants last Thursday and marked a turning point in the perception and acceptance of the trans community in beauty pageants.
Machete stood out not only for her beauty, but also for her eloquence and ability to connect with the audience and the judges. Already crowned, she was extremely excited, stating that she was “proud to be the first trans woman to compete for the title of Miss Universe Portugal.” Furthermore, she congratulated herself for having reached the final despite the fact that “for years it was not possible for me to participate.”
But the Portuguese will not be the only transgender model in this edition. Previously, the first trans candidate announced was Rikkie Valerie Kollé, 22, who took the title of Miss Netherlands in early July. Therefore, both will fight for the international crown.
The Miss Universe 2023 pageant already has 79 candidates confirmed and will take place on a date that is already marked on the calendars: November 18, 2023 in El Salvador. This year, the pageant will not only be a showcase of beauty and talent, but also a stage where diversity and inclusion will be protagonists.
The recognition of Marina Machete and Rikkie Valerie Kollé in their respective countries and on the international scene signals a palpable change in the perception of beauty, femininity and inclusion in spaces that have traditionally been exclusive. And a Spanish woman has had a lot to do with this change.
The first history of a trans woman in Miss Universe was in 2018, when Angela Ponce broke barriers by representing our country in the contest held in Thailand. Although Ponce did not reach the semifinals, her presence in the competition marked a significant change in these contests.
Since 2012, the Miss Universe organization has allowed the participation of transgender women, but it was in 2022 when Anne Jakapong Jakrajutatip, a Thai businesswoman and activist for the rights of trans people, acquired the rights to the contest and promised to make it more “diverse and inclusive” .
Anne Jakapong seeks to build on Miss Universe’s more than 70-year legacy as an “international and inclusive organization that celebrates women of all profiles, cultures and traditions.” In that sense, the triumphs of Machete and Kollé are not only a personal achievement but also a step forward towards a more egalitarian and diverse society.
