It’s a ceremony that promises to be historic! On Saturday November 18, 2023, from El Salvador the ceremony will be broadcast throughout the world Miss Universe 2023 to which will compete Diane Leyre, our French representative. Miss France 2022, since converted into a radio host alongside Guillaume Genton on Europe 2 in The Morning without filter (now hosted by Clément Lanoue), will have to face two strong competitors, since for the first time, in the history of the Miss Universe competition, two elected transgender Misses will be able to claim the title. In fact, on October 5, Marina Machete became the first transgender woman to be elected Miss Portugal. The young woman, aged 28, works in the city the profession of air hostess. She will thus be able to brandish the colors of her country loud and clear from El Salvador, in the hope of succeeding R’Bonney Gabriel, elected Miss Universe 2022.
But Marina Machete will not be the only Miss trans to compete, since last July, the election of Miss Netherlands also saw the coronation of a young transgender woman aged 22 and named Rikkie Kollé. Asked about her victory a few hours later, the young woman, who works as a model and actress, reacted with an optimistic and political message: “With my participation in Miss Netherlands 2023, I want to be a voice and a role model for all young women and gay people. I know better than anyone what it’s like to feel alone. When I was a little Rik and what I did my coming out as transgender, it wasn’t easy for everyone. (…) I am very happy to be committed to all the little Rikkies who face rejection from their family while they want to become the person they want to be” she commented.
Clémence Botino very well ranked, Amandine Petit disappointed
Diane Leyre will have a lot to do to win in this international competition. Last year, the first runner-up to Miss France 2022 Floriane Bascou represented us, but did not manage to qualify in the top 16. The previous year, Miss France Clémence Botino managed to enter the top 10and did better than Amandine Petit, who had stopped in the top 21 the previous year. Iris Mittenaere remains to this day the last French woman to have held up the crown of Miss Universe in 2016. Will Diane Leyre, Rikkie Kollé or Marina Machete succeed her? Response in a little over a month!