10 Portraits of Rikkie Valerie, a Dutch-Indonesian Transgender who Won Miss Netherlands 2023, Becoming a Controversy in the Pageant World

Rikkie Valerie Kolle is a Dutch-Indonesian model, specifically from Maluku, who was born in the Netherlands on April 6, 2001.

It is said that Rikkie has been determined to become transgender since the age of 11 and started transitioning at the age of 16.

Apparently, Rikkie herself couldn't believe it when her name was called as the winner of the Miss Netherlands 2023 competition and realized her childhood dream.

After winning the title of Miss Netherlands 2023, the 22-year-old transgender will participate in the Miss Universe competition representing her country in December 2023.

To compete in Miss Universe, Rikkie, who claims to be very passionate, has been practicing a lot, from catwalk to preparing what she will say.

Rikkie will be the second transgender to participate in the prestigious event after Angel Maria Ponce Camacho Miss Universe Spain 2018.

Of course, this decision has garnered both support and opposition among pageant lovers who feel that transgender individuals have taken away the title meant for women.

Not only netizens, but Rikkie also received negative comments from people close to her. However, Rikkie remains calm in the face of these criticisms.

"I want to thank all the haters because they have only given me a bigger platform. And you won't be able to get rid of me," said Rikkie, as quoted from bbc.com.

Furthermore, Rikkie also gives encouragement to transgender people who are still often attacked by the public, "I want to say that we are not alone."