What's right: Miss Netherlands beauty pageant ends

ARA City Radio

The Miss Netherlands beauty pageant has officially come to an end, marking the close of a significant chapter in its history. Last year’s winner, Rikkie Kollé—the first trans woman to hold the title—was the final contestant to wear the iconic silk sash. Kollé used her platform to champion inclusivity, a theme central to the decision to end the contest. Director Monica van Ee explained that empowering women, the pageant’s mission, has grown challenging amid increasing criticism and societal pressure. Unrealistic beauty standards perpetuated by social media have further fueled insecurity among women, prompting the need for change. While this marks the end of Miss Netherlands, it’s not the end of the organization’s efforts. A new initiative, Niet Meer Van Deze Tijd (“No Longer of This Time”), will replace the pageant, focusing on empowering women through issues like mental health, diversity, and self-expression rather than traditional beauty ideals. This shift reflects broader efforts to modernize beauty contests globally. Miss Universe recently opened its doors to older women and married contestants, signaling progress in a traditionally rigid industry. These changes aim to create a more inclusive and representative future for women in pageantry and beyond.