Blazing the Trail in Beauty: An Interview with New Zealand’s First Transgender Beauty Queen
By: Jade-Ceres Violet D. Munoz
Tags: Inspiration, Transgender, Self Improvement, Relationships, Life

Blazing the Trail in Beauty: An Interview with New Zealand’s First Transgender Beauty Queen

Disowned by her family for being transgender, Arielle Keil makes history after being crowned Miss Intercontinental New Zealand 2020

Photo used with permission from the owner. Instagram: Arielle Keil

She moves with such measured grace as she approached the judges in her emerald green dress with butterfly wings — typical of the Filipino national costume. It hugged her hips and showed off her perfect figure. Her brown skin glistened as she took her walk during the preliminaries. Her perfect blowout framing her petite face. To say that she’s beautiful is an understatement, but there’s more to the beguiling beauty of Arielle Keil. She is New Zealand’s first trans woman contestant for Miss New Zealand 2020.

She recently made history by claiming the highly coveted beauty pageant crown. She is one of five to win the contest. As the 1st runner up, she is bound for the Miss Intercontinental 2020 stage to represent New Zealand. She will be the first transgender woman to do this for the country.

“It was a literal dream come true. I have wanted this for so long. My friends and people that know me here in New Zealand know how long I’ve been working towards this dream so to see my hard work pay off was amazing.” Keil said of her win.

The international beauty pageant arena is welcoming only the second trans woman in history among its candidates. It was only in 2018 that the first transgender woman competed in the Miss Universe contest. Ángela Maria Ponce Camacho represented Spain in that historic moment.

This year, Keil is taking on Miss Intercontinental. This will be the international pageant’s 49th edition. Candidates from more than 70 countries will be competing for the title.

She says of her win: “It was a literal dream come true. I have wanted this for so long. My friends and people that know me here in New Zealand know how long I’ve been working towards this dream so to see my hard work pay off was amazing.”

Trailblazing Beauty

The world of beauty pageantry has not always been accepting of transgender contestants. The first known case of a trans woman fighting for her right to join a beauty pageant was that of Jenna Talackova, who had to engage in a legal battle before she was allowed to compete in the Miss Canada contest in 2012.

Eight years later, in a country at the bottom of the world, one trans woman is blazing the trail yet again. Keil’s entry to the Miss New Zealand pageant as a transgender was a first for the country. “Having moved away from the Miss World organization, we have been able to update our rules to align with society and bring our pageant to the 21st Century,” said Rose Foulger, director of Miss New Zealand in an earlier interview.

Keil’s path to achieving her dream was never easy. The 26-year-old beauty was born to a Filipino father and a German mother in Davao City, Philippines as a boy named Andrew. She moved to Auckland, New Zealand as a toddler. Growing, she was often called names, was bullied, and came home crying.

When she took the decision to become a woman, her life became even more difficult. She was disowned and kicked out of the family home when she first transitioned in 2017. Her parents gave her a choice — stop hormone therapy or get out. That night, she packed everything she owned into a black rubbish bag and walked out, not knowing where her life would take her next.

“It was hard for my parents to accept. It was probably the most lonely time of my life. My Ate lives in the US and so I had no family I was all alone.” Recounts Keil.

In January 2020, she completed her gender reassignment surgery. Instead of taking a year off to take everything in, the courageous young woman jumped straight into the world of pageantry a mere two months after her operation.

“I always knew I wanted the surgery. Like some transgender people, I struggled with body dysmorphia. It felt like a real-life nightmare being trapped in the body I had before. My mental health deteriorated severely so the surgery truly saved my life. I most likely wouldn’t be alive today if it wasn’t for it.” Keil said of her decision to undergo the operation.

“I flew to Thailand all by myself. I wish I had someone there with me but none of my friends or family could come and it was very ‘I’m doing this with or without y’all’. The night before my surgery was terrifying! I have wanted it my whole life but it is a very intense and invasive procedure. The first few days after my surgery was rough, I was all alone in another country, my body was extremely run down (I got vaginoplasty and breast augmentation at the same time so I could barely move) and I had just gone through probably the most life-changing thing to ever happen to me and I had no one to share it with. But through all of that, I was so happy, I felt unstoppable, liberated, and reborn. I truly felt like myself and at home in my own body for the first time in my life.” She says of the gender reassignment procedure.

Looking Forward to a Bright Future

So what do we expect now from New Zealand’s first transgender beauty queen?

“I’m excited to go overseas and compete internationally! I’m trying to get in the best physical and mental state for it! I want to do well overseas so I’m putting in the work — there is A LOT of work that goes into preparing for an international pageant,” Keil says as she prepares for her Miss Intercontinental journey.

Her family relationships are also on the mend. Keil has been receiving full support from her father and sister throughout her pageant days. “My dad now accepts me fully as his daughter! It’s been a work in progress throughout my transition but we’re in a good place now! He’s so supportive of me.” She says of her father. “My dad is so proud of me. I can genuinely see it in his face. Honestly, I never thought he would ever come around but he has and our relationship is the best it’s ever been.” Keil adds.

Representing New Zealand is only the beginning for this beauty queen. “After I am finished with pageantry I still want to be an advocate for my community as there is still a long way to go before we are met with equality and the rights we deserve. I’m going to finish studying at university and hope to work as a creative director of an advertising agency one day. I also really want to be a mother one day! I’m super clucky at the moment! I froze my sperm before starting hormones replacement therapy so I can still have my own biological children! I’m currently saving for IVF and a surrogate!”

For her transgender fans who may want to follow her path, she leaves these gems: “I would say to definitely do it! Get out there and chase your dreams. Don’t apologize for being you! The world can be cruel to transgender people especially but don’t let it affect your determination. It’s going to take more transgender representation for us to be more accepted in society so remember how important and special your presence is!”

Arielle Keil is a name to remember. She will blaze the trail for other trans women in the world to achieve what their hearts desire.