“To every person who ever felt invisible or denied the chance to be their best self, this is for you. I am a living breathing example of what was impossible. Do not let expectations and socio standards stop you from living your truth and chasing your dreams.”
Looking absolutely regal in the dazzling rainbow evening gown she designed herself, Kataluna Enriquez made history as the first openly trans woman to be crowned the winner of the Miss Nevada USA pageant. A few months later she made history again, when she became the first trans woman to compete in the Miss USA pageant. Her platform, #BeVisible, she explains, “symbolizes working toward your goals and showing your vulnerability to others. Essentially, be brave enough to be seen.” It’s a platform she not only supports, but one she lives every day.
“Every single step and journey that I do, and every competition, I learn something from that and I’m using that to just make myself better,” Kataluna said when discussing difficulties she has faced. Her journey to the crown was filled with many challenges and difficulties that she conquered with strength and dignity befitting a queen. She was born in the Philippines and moved to the United States when she was ten years old. Her childhood was filled with fear and anger because she was different from the other kids. She remembers that even when she was young, when people would see her feminine side they would tell her she shouldn’t be like that. It got so bad that there was a point when she just wanted to die, or to not wake up. Then she found the courage to speak up and be true to who she was inside. Now when people say she was born in the wrong body, she replies, “I was not born wrong. I was born different for a purpose.”
Kataluna began competing in pageants in 2015 and encountered a new set of challenges. When she had difficulty finding affordable gowns that fit her body, she started making her own clothes. This eventually grew into her own fashion line, Kataluna Kouture. When she faced discrimination for being trans, she rose above the ignorance and intolerance by speaking up and reaching out to others with kindness and love. She admits that while competing in the Miss USA pageant she had braced herself to face issues and conflicts, especially with how some of the other contestants would react. She was happy to see that she was welcomed and that many of the other contestants took time to understand her. Although she didn’t win the Miss USA crown, her presence in the competition gave hope and courage to many other people to live authentically.
Wherever she goes, Kataluna reaches out to help others who are marginalized be seen and appreciated. When she won the Miss Nevada USA pageant in June of 2021, she posted on her Instagram, “My community, you are always in my heart. My win is our win. We just made history. Happy pride.” She explained that, “Doing that was my way of reminding them that it’s OK to be themselves. It’s OK, you may not be out yet, but you are still being seen.” She continues to be a beacon of light, illuminating the beauty of being true to yourself.
“At a young age, Kataluna fought multiple challenges in her life. Now she uses her life experiences and shares it in her platform #BEVISIBLE, a campaign to combat hate through vulnerability. As a survivor of physical and sexual abuse and a proud Transwoman of color, she aims to break barriers and represent those who aren’t always represented and continues to support numerous non-profit organizations and LGBTQ+ youth.”
Kataluna Enriquez bio on Miss Silver State USA Instagram
KATALUNA ENRIQUEZ
