The Miss Netherlands beauty pageant has officially been scrapped after more than three decades, with its organizers stating it was time for change. This decision ushers in the launch of a new initiative aimed at inspiring young people through platforms focusing on mental health and inclusivity.
On December 12, 2023, the news broke, ending the pageant's 35-year legacy. The organizers released statements expressing the need for transformation within the competition. "Times have changed and we are changing with the times," they said, citing the cultural shifts as the driving force behind the decision.
Director Monica van Ee is at the forefront of this change, introducing the new initiative under the name "Niet Meer Van Deze Tijd" or "No Longer of This Time." This platform promises to share stories fostering positive sentiments, emphasizing support among women rather than competition. The organizers declared: "No more crowns, but stories. No dresses, but dreams," indicating a significant shift away from traditional beauty pageant norms.
The announcement follows the historic victory of Rikkie Kollé, who made headlines as the first transgender woman to win the Miss Netherlands title in 2023. Kollé's success has sparked broader discussions on representation and inclusivity within the pageant community, and her influence was acknowledged by van Ee and others.
Reflecting on her experience, Kollé stated: "The word I’m choosing is ‘victory’... standing here as... empowering and confident trans woman," highlighting the importance of visibility for the transgender community. Her win was not just about personal achievement but aimed to inspire countless individuals grappling with identity and self-acceptance.
For van Ee, the pageant had increasingly become marred by negative commentary, with feedback from the audience often focused on race and beauty standards. She remarked, "Comments such as ‘she is too White’ or ‘she is too Black’ created negative energy every year," attributing this divisiveness as one of the underlying reasons for scrapping the competition. This realization pushed the organizers to rethink how they could contribute positively to society.
Monica van Ee elaborated on the intention of the new platform, saying: "Women are insecure due to, among other things, the rise of social media and its unreal images of beauty." The focus now turns to empowering young women to overcome these unrealistic expectations and embrace their individuality.
By nurturing stories of success and struggle alike, the new initiative aims to create a space where women can support and uplift each other, swapping crowns for camaraderie. "Perhaps crowns are outdated," van Ee reflected. "But empowering women to support and uplift one another is timeless." The shift argues for redefining beauty and success on terms more aligned with reality.
The change aligns with recent trends seen within the beauty pageant world. Just last month, the Miss Universe competition lifted its age limit, allowing women over the age of 28 to participate for the first time. These adaptations signal the beauty industry's movement toward inclusivity and diversity, responding to the desires of younger generations.
The need for this shift has become increasingly clear as feedback grows and societal standards transform. Pageants have historically focused on physical appearance, but the emphasis now appears to be on character, authenticity, and mental well-being.
The new initiative plans to engage with issues like social media's impact on mental health, emphasizing the significance of authenticity over idealistic representations of beauty. The hope is to create supportive environments where individuals feel safe to express their true selves.
Many believe this transition can invigorate the beauty pageant industry, long criticized for its outdated notions of femininity. No longer should the emphasis be on crowns, sashes, or superficial standards; the aim is to inspire real connections and stories among young people.
With this new direction, the Miss Netherlands pageant will be remembered as not only an entertaining event but also as one part of the larger conversation surrounding beauty, identity, and empowerment.
It marks the end of one era and the dawn of another, inviting hopeful change within the lives of many aspiring young women.
