Arielle Keil, a transgender Filipino woman, has made history after winning the highly coveted crown of Miss Intercontinental New Zealand 2020.
The 26-year-old who was born in Davao City, Philippines as a boy named Andrew, but grew up in Auckland, New Zealand, underwent gender reassignment surgery earlier this year.
By this feat, she becomes the first post-operative transgender contestant to compete in the Miss New Zealand beauty pageant. According to Daily post, she described the concept as not being outdated but ‘actually badass’. She said:
“The pageant was an amazing experience! It’s something I’ve wanted to do for the longest time so to actually live out my dream has been amazing!”
Arielle, who is studying for a fashion design bachelor’s degree, revealed coming out as a transgender woman was more ‘terrifying’ than telling people about being a gay man. She explained that despite being aware that the way people view her would change, she decided to be open about her transgender status to avoid regret later.
“I’d already spent the formative years of my life as the wrong gender, I didn’t want to waste my twenties in the wrong body either. This way of thinking really helped me come out to my parents because I knew that whatever their reaction was, this was something I needed to do for myself.”
Arielle began transitioning in 2017. When her parents found out she was undergoing hormone treatment, they gave two choices – stop or leave home. That night she packed everything she owned into a black rubbish bag and walked out.
The Miss Intercontinental New Zealand 2020 crown is not new when it comes to pageants around the globe. Ángela Maria Ponce Camacho became the first transgender woman to compete in the Miss Universe contest after claiming the title of Miss Spain in 2018.