American trans woman Midori Monet has been named Miss International Queen 2025.
Miss USA Monet won the beauty pageant for trans women on Saturday (20 September). The theme for this year’s competition aimed to promote inclusion, equality and pride in trans communities worldwide.
As she was crowned, the winner tearful winner said: “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.”
People on social media praised Miss Malaysia, Khleo Ambrose, and Miss Indonesia, Kaycia Lee, for being the first to congratulate Monet on her victory.
@blacknoom Winner USA แอบเสียดาย Cuba มากินแต่ก็ขอแสดงความยินดีกับ USA #missinternationalqueen #missinternationalqueen2025 ♬ Nah Id pass – LordAizen
Monet later posted an Instagram Story in which she called Miss Malaysia a “true sister and queen”.
In an interview with Gayety, Monet said she was determined to use her visibility to make a difference. “We need to be visible. We need to stand up and use our voices to show everyone that we are thriving.”
In a clear nod to the hate faced by the trans community, especially in the US, she added: “We are human beings. We have hearts, emotions and feelings just like everyone else.”
Speaking to TransLiving International, she added: “I’m taking it one step at a time and focusing on being triumphant in the daily battle that is life.”
Who is Midori Monet?
Midori Monet is originally from Tacoma, in the state of Washington, but now lives in Seattle.
A glance at her Instagram account, which is full of pageantry imagery, shows that she is religious, with a biblical quote from Romans featuring in her bio. The passage emphasises that anyone who judges others is inexcusable because they are practising the same things they condemn.
Monet is also the co-founder of The House of Scott, which is described as “a chosen family for queer youth [and a] space to create, belong and shine where love is louder than rejection.” The other founder appears to be her brother, Mufasa, who is signed to SMG Models.
According to Adelante magazine, the beauty queen grew up in a mixed household with her father, who plays the organ in church, and stepmother, who is in the choir.
Monet’s first beauty pageant was Miss Washington USA and she also represented Miss Capitol Hill USA. She is inspired by Real Housewives of Atlanta star Kenya Moore, who won Miss USA in 1993.
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