For decades, beauty pageants have been a staple of popular culture, showcasing physical beauty, charisma, and talent. However, for a long time, these competitions have been criticized for their narrow definition of beauty and lack of inclusivity. The rise of transsexual beauty queens is changing the game, bringing a fresh perspective to the world of pageants and redefining what it means to be beautiful.
The 2010s brought seismic change. In 2012, (Miss Universe Canada) fought to compete after being disqualified for being trans. She won a legal battle and placed in the top 12. In 2018, Angela Ponce became the first trans woman to compete for Miss Universe Spain—and then for the global Miss Universe crown. But the true watershed was 2021 , when Miss Nevada USA crowned Kataluna Enriquez , the first openly trans woman to win a major Miss USA state title. Then, in 2023, Rikkie Valerie Kolle won Miss Netherlands and competed for Miss Universe. transsexual beauty queens 46
: As a trans character, Petra’s storyline focuses on her own self-discovery and internal "romance" with her true self, though she also navigates complex interactions with the other survivors. For decades, beauty pageants have been a staple