This year’s Miss Universe pageant was special for Miss Spain, Angela Ponce. She may not have won, but was happy to be the first transgender woman to compete in Miss Universe. It was “an honour and pride” for the 27-year-old model to have been able to represent her country.
“This is for you, for those who have no visibility, no voice, because we all deserve a world of respect, inclusion and freedom,” Angela wrote on her Instagram.
Angela wanted to compete so that she can be an ambassador for Spanish culture. She donned a traditional Spanish “bata de cola” that is the national costume of the country. Angela showed off her flamenco skills
which has learnt since she was 6 years old.
This is significant for the Miss Universe organisation, which had disqualified a transgender woman in 2012. The pageant was then owned by current US president Donald Trump.
