After 35 years, the Miss Netherlands pageant is coming to an end, as announced by the pageant’s owner, Monica van Ee. She stated that the contest is “no longer relevant.” According to Van Ee, the pageant has left a “unique legacy” but often draws criticism regarding the participants’ backgrounds. She noted that each year brings negative energy with comments on whether a contestant is too white, too black, or should not win due to certain beliefs.
Additionally, Van Ee remarked that the sash and crown are outdated. The 2023 Miss Netherlands contest sparked controversy when winner Rikkie Kollé, a transgender woman, received death threats.
In place of the pageant, Van Ee will launch an online platform called ‘Not of This Time,’ aimed at empowering and supporting young women with themes such as self-expression, diversity, and mental and physical health. The last titleholder, Amber Rustenburg, will spend the remainder of her term promoting the new platform.
Source: NOS