Miss Universe 2023 contestants (left to right): Rikkie Valerie Kollé, Jane Dipika Garrett and Camila Avella. Hector Vivas/Getty Images
- The Miss Universe 2023 pageant will take place on November 18 in El Salvador.
- This year’s participants include two transgender women and two mothers.
- Erica Robin is the first Miss Pakistan while Michelle Cohn from Guatemala is the first mother to compete.
The Miss Universe 2023 pageant is here.
The global competition takes place on Saturday in El Salvador, where 84 women will compete for the coveted title. R’Bonney Gabriel, who secured the title of Miss Universe 2022 and was embroiled in a manipulation scandal, will crown the winner. This year’s pageant is expected to be the most inclusive Miss Universe pageant ever, with mothers, married women, members of the LGBTQ+ community and a plus-size model among the contestants.
Organizers announced that mothers and married women could enter the competition in August 2022, while transgender candidates were allowed to enter in April 2012. In recent years there have also been calls for Miss Universe to become more body inclusive.
These contestants are fighting to make the Miss Universe pageant more inclusive. Just look.
Miss Guatemala Michelle Cohn is the first mother to compete in the Miss Universe pageant.
Miss Guatemala 2023. Courtesy of Miss Universe
Cohn, 28, is a mother of two, model, brand founder and entrepreneur. According to Cohn’s bio on the pageant’s Instagram page, Cohn founded a swimwear brand in 2016 and employs deaf women to promote equal opportunities.
“I am very proud to be the first mother chosen to represent my country at Miss Universe, breaking stereotypes and promoting women empowerment,” her bio reads.
Miss Colombia Camila Avella is married with one child, making her the first married contestant.
Miss Colombia 2023. Courtesy of Miss Universe
The 28-year-old told HOLA this month that she competed for the title of Miss Colombia in 2018 but was not selected. After Miss Universe organizers announced that mothers and married women could compete, she decided to try again as a wife and mother.
According to her bio, Avella is a journalist and model who works to empower young mothers by providing resources including financial management and mental health training.
Rikkie Valerie Kollé is the first transgender Miss Netherlands after her victory in 2023.
Miss Netherlands 2023. Courtesy of Miss Universe
In July 2023, Kollé beat nine other finalists to become Miss Netherlands. NOS, a Netherlands-based broadcasting organization, reported that Kollé, 22, is the second transgender person to compete in the Miss Universe pageant, after Angela Ponce, who represented Spain in 2018.
In a video shared for the Voices for Change campaign, Kollé – a model who competed on Holland’s Next Top Model – advocates for equal rights and opposes the bullying she faced because of her gender identity.
In 2023, Marina Machete became the first transgender Miss Portugal.
Miss Portugal 2023. Courtesy of Miss Universe
Machete is a 28-year-old flight attendant who won the Miss Portugal 2023 competition in October, becoming the first transgender contestant in her country to do so.
According to her bio, she is passionate about justice and inclusion.
“I am most proud of the challenges I have overcome with courage and strength. They have led me to develop humanity and kindness towards others in my life,” says her biography.
Miss Nepal Jane Dipika Garrett made history as the first contestant to embrace the body.
Miss Nepal 2023. Courtesy of Miss Universe
Some media outlets have hailed 22-year-old Garrett as the first plus-size contestant for Miss Universe – something that beauty pageant contestants say is long overdue. According to her “Voices of Change” campaign video, she is an advocate for mental and hormonal health after experiencing depression due to her PCOS.
“I am a determined, resilient and sincere woman who embraces her true essence and nature without fear,” her bio reads. “My life experiences have shaped me into the strong, brave and courageous woman I am today.”
In an Instagram post in November, she wrote: “It’s time to celebrate the different changes in the female body and embrace all of our shapes and sizes.”
Erica Robin is the first Miss Pakistan to take part in this competition.
Miss Pakistan 2023. Courtesy of Miss Universe
The 24-year-old will make history on Saturday as the first Miss Pakistan. According to her bio, Robin is a model who fights against gender bias and inequality in the workplace.
“I am most proud of standing up for what I believe in my life. Recently, right after I was announced as the new Miss Universe Pakistan titleholder, I received some backlash from different sections of the community, but I would like to stand.” “I am ready for what I believe in,” her bio reads .
It added: “Despite these criticisms, I was ready to face all the challenges that lay before me while maintaining my values as a young modern Pakistani woman, representing our rich culture and heritage and showing the world that Pakistan is a success.” of women can celebrate.”