Qatrisha Zairyah, a 33-year-old fashion adviser, has made history as the first-ever married transgender finalist at Miss Universe Singapore (MUS) 2024. She was among the 15 women who advanced to the finals on 24 August. This year’s competition emphasises inclusivity, with finalists ranging in age from 19 to 34 and coming from diverse backgrounds and careers. Elaine Daly, the national director of Miss Universe Singapore, highlighted the broader range of contestants due to the pageant’s more inclusive direction, encouraging more women to participate for the first time.
## Background
Zairyah’s participation marks a significant milestone in the 70-year history of the competition. She previously won first runner-up in the Miss International Queen 2023. In a press release by MUS, Zairyah expressed her commitment to advocating for her community and empowering women worldwide. She underwent gender reassignment surgery in 2017 and has been married for seven years to a man she met when she was 20 years old and still doing national service. Despite anticipating criticism, Zairyah remains determined to serve as a strong role model for women of all backgrounds.
## Representation
In an interview with The Straits Times, Zairyah shared her journey and the support she received from her husband throughout her transformation. She emphasised her dedication to fighting for the existence of her community and empowering women globally. “How awesome will it be if I can be the first trans woman to represent Singapore on the global stage? Who knows, I may even be the first to represent Asia,” she said.
## Criteria
Miss Universe Singapore is the official preliminary to Miss Universe. The finalist crowned Miss Universe Singapore will represent the country on the international stage. According to the official application form, contestants must be Singapore citizens based in Singapore and legally recognised as female on official documentation, such as identification cards and passports. Women who are single, married, divorced, or with children are also eligible to participate.
## Future implications
The inclusion of diverse contestants in Miss Universe Singapore 2024 reflects a broader trend towards inclusivity in beauty pageants worldwide. This year’s Miss Universe competition will also feature two transgender women, a plus-size model, and mothers for the first time. The winner of Miss Universe Singapore will go on to represent the country at Miss Universe 2024 in Mexico City, potentially setting new precedents for representation and diversity on the global stage.
