Text: Paul Hofman
Photo: Leon Hendrickx
Video: Paradox Productions
Rikkie Kollé (Miss Nederland): ‘Dare to choose yourself’. In 2023 Rikkie Kollé (23) was crowned Miss Nederland. The news even reached The New York Times. She is the first trans person to receive this honour. Now Rikkie is an ambassador for Pride Amsterdam. ‘I’m really looking forward to it.’
Enchanting
She still remembers her first Pride vividly. ‘It was a revelation for me.’ In 2023 she herself took part in the Canal Parade. ‘It was one big party. So enchanting. All those people along the route — it felt like, what a gift.’ Pride Amsterdam matters to her. ‘We celebrate freedom, but also show and make clear that we exist.’ In spring 2023 she was announced as Miss Nederland. Her dream came true. ‘As a child I was delightfully dramatic and already loved the spotlight.’ On television we see Rikkie moved as she receives the crown and sash. She beams. Her childhood dream has come true.
Rebellious
She was born in Hoorn but grew up in Den Helder. Rikkie had a wonderful time there. ‘I had a nice childhood. Anything went and I had a warm home. As a little child I loved being dramatic and I loved the spotlight.’ She was, however, bullied a lot. It still clearly pains her when she looks back. ‘I came out at eleven.’ The bullying didn’t stop. She had a miserable time at school. The bullying lasted until I was sixteen. That’s when I really started to fight back. I started pushing boundaries. Out of pure frustration, I think. I became very rebellious and hung out with the wrong people. I absolutely didn’t feel good about myself. It did make her more confident.
It seemed to be going in the wrong direction. Her parents were at their wit’s end. She failed her final secondary school exams. ‘Then I had to face the consequences.’ It made her reflect. Rikkie put everything into passing them after all.
Mischief
She eventually earned her diploma. Rikkie was eighteen when she decided to leave her parents’ home. The world lay open before her. She never regretted it for a moment. She knew then what she wanted to be. ‘Famous,’ she laughs. Via Amsterdam she ended up in Breda, where she still lives today. ‘It was mainly a time of parties and going out. I made up for everything I missed in Den Helder.’ By day she studied marketing and did modelling work. She put her heart into the southern city. The modelling world soon held no secrets for Rikkie. Wherever she went, someone stood out.
‘Everything I got up to at school — the mischief — partly came from insecurity about who I was. I compared myself a lot to others. You should never do that, I realise now. And trust someone. Talking was the key for me to figure out who I was. I would recommend that to anyone in this situation.’
Holland’s Next Top Model
Women on the catwalk in high heels always catch her eye. After secondary school Rikkie appeared on the reality show Holland’s Next Top Model. At seventeen she took part in the eleventh season. She didn’t win but the judges praised her as a talent in the modelling world. She was the second trans woman, after her role model Loiza Lamers, to ever take part in the show. Her greatest passions remain dancing, singing and acting. A career in musical theatre is certainly a possibility, she says with a smile.
Miss Nederland
Her great example is model Loiza Lamers. As a transgender woman she won Holland’s Next Top Model in 2015. That paved the way for Rikkie. Last year she was crowned Miss Nederland. Her selection became global news and even the respected newspaper The New York Times covered Rikkie Kollé. For the first time in Dutch history a trans woman won the prestigious title. She smiles shyly.
Hate messages
Rikkie didn’t receive only congratulations but also many hate messages and even death threats. ‘I’d be lying if I said it didn’t affect me. The threats have decreased.’ Still, she is now fairly relaxed about it. ‘I do watch myself, I sort of “read” people and then ask whether I can trust this person or that person. It shows we’re far from done.’ In no uncertain terms she stresses that people should leave each other alone and wish each other happiness.
Mission
Becoming an ambassador makes her happy. ‘It’s the proverbial cherry on the cake. I’m super proud because it’s also a tribute to the lhbtiq+ community.’ Rikkie doesn’t have to think long about her mission as ambassador. ‘I want to break the stigma around being trans by sharing my personal story. And to be there for trans kids.’ She wants to use her voice and be a role model for all young women and queer people. Like no one else, Rikkie knows what it’s like to feel alone and not surrounded only by positive thoughts.
Vooruitstrevend?
She is also worried about the growing anti-lhbtiq+ violence and that ‘we are actually moving backwards in time.’ Rikkie notes that the Netherlands is shifting more from an inclusive to an exclusive country. For example, a man might be afraid to dress femininely. Or an lhbtiq+ couple may fear holding hands, or an older trans person may be hesitant to go out on the street.
‘Let everyone be who they are. The rainbow family is under great pressure. The Netherlands used to be so progressive but it isn’t anymore,’ she says regretfully.
Little Rikkies
Rikkie stands up for all the little Rikkies who face rejection from family and community during their transition to the person they want to be. ‘If you’re alone in your room and cannot or aren’t allowed to be yourself, it’s so important to learn to love yourself. I will fight for that with everything I have.’ She also plans to visit schools to share her personal story. ‘It’s about raising awareness.’ She will undoubtedly become a major figurehead. ‘Above all, be yourself.’
Pride ambassador since 2024
