EVERT ELZINGA / AFP
Miss France: the equivalent of the competition in the Netherlands stops, because “times have changed” ‘Photo of Miss Netherlands during the final of the competition in 2023 won by Rikkie Kolle)
NETHERLANDS – The Miss Netherlands beauty pageant stops after 35 years, to become a new platform dedicated to mental health and the sharing of positive stories, the organizers announced this Thursday, December 12.
“Times have changed and we evolve with the times”declared the organizers of the competition in a press release. Instead of organizing the competition, director Monica van Ee set up a platform called “No more of this time”.
This platform aims to share the stories of successful women, but also to highlight the impact of social media and unrealistic beauty standards. “No more crowns, but stories that inspire. Not dresses, but dreams come to life »declared the organizers.
“Maybe a sash and a crown are no longer relevant. But women supporting and helping each other is timeless for us.”said Monica Van Ee in an online message on the new platform.
“A world where we celebrate real life”
The competition made headlines in 2023 when Rikkie Kolle, then aged 22, became the first transgender woman to win it.
Rikkie Kolle told AFP in an interview that she hoped her victory would be an inspiration to young people in the transgender community.
Monica Van Ee stressed that the new platform should be a place where everyone can be themselves, “a world where we celebrate real life, without the pressure to conform to a perfect image”.
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