Midori Monét’s journey to being crowned 2025 Miss International Queen USA was nothing short of spellbinding. From nailing the perfect glam makeup look all the way to the emotional moment when her name was called, Monét’s rise to the crown is a story of resilience, passion, and community.
Miss International Queen is the world’s largest beauty pageant for transgender women. The pageant was conceived in 2004, with the intent to, “offer an international competition for transgender women from around the world and to provide an opportunity for transgender women to be more accepted in today’s world, to create transgender rights awareness among international communities and to build friendship and exchange ideas among international lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender/transsexual communities,” as the official website states.
Monét’s journey to becoming Miss International Queen USA wasn’t always easy. When she competed in Miss Washington USA, a cisgender pageant, she was overcome with self-doubt, feeling as though she didn’t belong—even though she placed sixth overall in the competition. “I told myself that as a trans woman, I don’t belong here … I felt as if I let myself down,” she reflects.
After that experience, Monet seized the opportunity to compete in Miss International Queen when it presented itself. With only two months to prepare, she threw herself into creating a pageant package that included clothes, many of which she designed herself, and dance routines. Her bold decision to compete paid off, and she became the third Black winner of Miss International Queen on September 20. The theme for this year’s competition aimed to promote inclusion, equality, and pride in trans communities worldwide.
As Midori Monet was crowned, the teraful winner says: “I feel I am living out my ancestors’ wildest dreams: being here, loud and proud in my skin, happy with who I am, and representing my entire community. It feels so amazing, and I’m so happy to do it alongside my sisters. It means the world to me.”
In an apparent reference to the rise in hate toward the trans community, especially in the U.S., Monet adds: “We are human beings. We have hearts, emotions, and feelings just like everyone else.”
Photo courtesy of social media
