Archie Singh, 22, scripted history by becoming the first Indian to be awarded the title of second runner-up at the Miss International Trans beauty pageant organised in Cartagena, Colombia.
She took to Instagram and shared some moments from the memorable event. Archie Singh shared pictures from the crowning ceremony while expressing her sincere gratitude and heartfelt thanks to all the people who helped her to reach where she is now. Singh said Manushi Chhillar, Sushmita Sen, Aishwarya Rai and Lara Dutta are her inspiration.
“It feels great to bring home the title and be a voice to the LGBTQIA+ community and women of India- who are often suppressed. I feel truly humbled and now I have a huge responsibility ahead to work unceasingly for trans women models from India. I want the perception of transwoman to change. Don’t want people to tag us as beggars and dancers- we have dignity and we are complete women- I’m glad that I can start a positive conversation around this,” she said.
The last time, a transwoman created history on an international pageant was Spain’s Ángela Maria Ponce Camacho who represented her country at the Miss Universe pageant 2018 as the first openly transgender contestant competing for the title.
“Women are women. We come in all shapes and sizes and colours and we should be proud of that. Would love to see trans women from India part of mainstream beauty pageants one day. However, a trans-specific pageant has provided us with international visibility and gave us a voice on an international platform to speak about equality- which is great and rarely given to us by mainstream organisations,” said Archie Singh.
