Miss Spain's Angela Ponce is the first transgender contest in the 66-year history of the Miss Universe competition - and she says she wants to send a message to US President Donald Trump.
The willowy beauty, 27, is making history since the pageant reversed a longstanding policy in 2012 that participants must be 'naturally born' women.
Explaining her broad appeal, she said: 'Who hasn't suffered from prejudice? Who hasn't had to deal with bullying?'
The finals of the competition will be held early Monday in Thailand's capital Bangkok and Miss Spain wants to highlight how the transgender community continues to be marginalised and misunderstood, with high rates of suicide.
The willowy contestant is making history since the pageant reversed a longstanding policy in 2012 that participants must be 'naturally born' women
She earned praise for her portrayal of a flamenco dancer during the national costume portion of the competition
A leaked White House report said President Trump's administration is considering pushing changes to the law to define gender by biological traits at birth, while trying to block transgender people from military service.
Ponce is defiant about how to respond to Trump, a former owner of Miss Universe, and others who would try to box her in by physical traits.
'I always say: having a vagina didn't transform me into a woman. I am a woman, already before birth, because my identity is here,' she told AFP, gesturing to her head.
She said she also took issue with the classification of trans people by large sections of society.
She claims that these ideas are based on prejudice and narrow assessments of gender.
Miss Spain wants to highlight how the transgender community continues to be marginalised
Ponce, who works with a foundation in Spain helping children struggling with stigma linked to being trans, is aware of the visibility she brings to the Miss Universe platform
'Outsiders say what I can and cannot do, what I am and what I am not,' Ponce said.
'No, I'm sorry. To be a woman is your identity. It doesn't matter if you are white, black, if you have a vagina... if you have a penis.'
Ponce, who works with a foundation in Spain helping children struggling with stigma linked to being trans, is aware of the visibility she brings to the Miss Universe platform.
Her performance has so far drawn praise, from her portrayal of a flamenco dancer during the national costume portion of the competition to her strut down the runway in a shimmery mermaid-like gown in the evening dress category.
'You can empower yourself like I have and turn something negative into your biggest strength,' she said.
'Children are born without prejudices and I think that if we talk to them about diversity from a young age... we can create a new generation of human beings who are raised a lot better, more tolerant and respectful.'
This year's event, which critics say is a throwback to stereotypes of the the pre #MeToo era, has largely preached a message of inclusivity.
She said she also took issue with the classification of trans people by large sections of society
Ponce works with a foundation in Spain helping children struggling with stigma linked to being trans
She says: 'To be a woman is your identity. It doesn't matter if you are white, black, if you have a vagina... if you have a penis'
It boasts an all-women panel of judges made up of business leaders and former Miss Universe titleholders.
But gaffes still abound -- Miss USA Sarah Rose Summers got in hot water for appearing to mock the contestants from Vietnam and Cambodia on social media for not being able to speak English.
She has since posted an apology on Instagram, saying she did not 'intend to hurt' her fellow competitors.
Monday's event will see last year's winner Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters of South Africa crown her successor among 94 countries in a live televised event hosted by American comic turned TV host Steve Harvey and supermodel Ashley Graham.
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News Pictures Miss Spain breaking barriers as first transgender Miss Universe contestant
You don’t have to pack away your bikini just because you’re the wrong side of 20. These body-beautiful stars reveal their secrets to staying in shape and prove you can smoulder in a two-piece, whatever your age. Read on and be bikini inspired!
TEENS
Hayden Panettiere
Size: 8
Age: 18
Height: 5ft 1in
Weight: 8st
To achieve her kick-ass figure, Hayden – who plays cheerleader Claire Bennet in Heroes – follows the ‘quartering’ rule. She eats only a quarter of the food on her plate, then waits 20 minutes before deciding whether she needs to eat again.
Hayden says: “I don’t have a model’s body, but I’m not one of those crazy girls who thinks that they’re fat. I’m OK with what I have.”
Nicollette says: “I don’t like diets – I see it, I eat it! I believe in eating healthily with lots of protein, vegetables and carbs to give you energy.”
kim cattrall
Size: 10-12
Age: 52
Height: 5ft 8in
Weight: 9st 4lb
SATC star Kim swears by gym sessions with Russian kettle bells (traditional cast-iron weights) and the South Beach Diet to give her the body she wants. To avoid overeating, Kim has a radical diet trick – squirting lemon juice on her leftovers – so she won’t carry on picking.
Kim says: “I am no super-thin Hollywood actress. I am built for men who like women to look like women.”
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