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Transgender woman, Rikkie Kolle makes history, wins Miss Netherlands 2023

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A transgender woman named Rikkie Kolle has sparked outrage after she was crowned Miss Netherlands for the first time in the beauty pageant’s history.

A transgender person is someone whose gender identity does not conform to that typically associated with the sex they were assigned at birth.

Kolle, 22, made history over the weekend after she won the 2023 competition held at the AFAS Theatre in Leusden.

The trans’ win secures her spot as the representative from the Netherlands for the coveted 72nd Miss Universe 2023 pageant.

The model, who wore a red gown at the event, took to social media to express joy for achieving the feat.

Rikkie said she is proud to make “my community proud” while establishing that “I am a trans woman”.

“It’s unreal done but I can call myself @missnederland 2023. It was an educational and wonderful process, my year can’t go wrong anymore. I am so proud and happy I can’t describe it with. I made my community proud and showed it can be done,” she wrote on Instagram.

“And yes I am a trans woman and I would like to share my story, but I am also Rikkie and that is what counts for me. I did this on my own strength and enjoyed every moment.

“I want to thank the jury and everyone from the Miss Netherlands team for the trust, this is just the beginning. My dearest fellow finalists, we all put on a show, love you all girls❤️ My dear family and friends, my N1 supporters, you have given me so much extra strength from the hall.

“And wherever you are in the world, I want to be there for you and be the example that I myself missed as a little me.

“On to many more adventures, let’s get @missuniverse ready. So excited!!!”

While the Dutch parliament passed a bill giving rights to transgender people in the country in 2013, the pageant’s parent organisation began allowing transgender women to compete in 2012.

Rikkie’s feat has also attracted a chorus of condemnation from social media users.

While some users wondered why a “biological male” should be allowed to contest in the first place, others tackled the women for not “protesting”.

“This is nothing to celebrate. This is a slap in the face to every single woman who competed against this biological male in a competition designed SPECIFICALLY for women,” Independent Women’s Voice argued.

Entertainment

Bolanle Ninalowo opens up on early career struggles

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Bolanle Ninalowo has revealed how he overcame early career setbacks to achieve success in Nollywood.

In an unreleased episode of ‘Off The Top’ podcast, Ninalowo said his initial failures ultimately led to his triumph in the entertainment industry.

When asked about his motivation to persevere in an unreleased episode of ‘Off The Top’ podcast, the 44-year-old emphasised that being down can present unexpected opportunities for self-discovery.

Reflecting on his Nollywood journey, Ninalowo credited his initial failures for his eventual success.

“When you fall flat on your face and you are backed against the wall, that is when you get the biggest opportunities to discover yourself. I tell people that when I came to Nollywood, the secrets of my success are buried in my failures,” he said.

Ninalowo’s entry into Nollywood was far from smooth. He began as a producer but faced failure. He then ventured into music, only to find it wasn’t his calling. Undeterred, he returned to acting in the mid-2000s.

His breakthrough came with the 2015 movie ‘Desperate Baby Mamas,’ which propelled him to fame. Since then, the Ikorodu-born actor has appeared in numerous hit films, showcasing his versatility in both Yoruba and English movies.

Some of his notable roles include performances in ‘Fate of Alakada,’ ‘Coming From Insanity,’ ‘Breaded Life,’ ‘Lakatabu,’ and ‘Alter Date.’

Ninalowo’s resilience and determination have made him a household name in Nollywood.

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Basketmouth reveals why he stopped being MC at weddings

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Basketmouth, the Nigerian standup comedian, has revealed why he stopped being the master of ceremony (MC) at wedding events.

The 46-year-old entertainer described his decision as a “sacrifice” necessary to preserve his artistic integrity.

“Hosting events as an MC feels like adulterating the art,” he said in a chat with journalists at the premiere of his first feature film ‘A Ghetto Love Story‘.

Basketmouth clarified that he only stopped being MC at private gigs like weddings, not entirely quitting duties as host.

He added that if invited to a private gig, “I will be doing standup comedy, not the MC”.

“The only thing I have stopped is private gigs like weddings and all. It is a sacrifice I have to make because I do standup comedy, that is what I do. I did not enter this industry to be an MC of a wedding and all that,” he said.

“So I felt like I was adulterating the art, I felt bad about it and I had to stop. So if I am doing a private gig, I be doing standup comedy, not the MC.

“Let me just do my 30 minutes and bounce, but not as the MC of any event. I cannot do it anymore, that is like I am cheating on my craft. I am losing a lot of money but it is not about the money now.”

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Rapper NBA YoungBoy pleads guilty in drug fraud case

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NBA YoungBoy, the US rapper, has pleaded guilty to charges connected to a prescription drug fraud scheme.

The Louisiana rapper appeared in a courtroom in Logan, Utah on Monday, where he admitted to two counts of third-degree felony identity fraud, two counts of third-degree felony forgery, and six counts of misdemeanor unlawful pharmacy conduct.

YoungBoy, who is still serving 27 months on federal charges, also entered a “no contest” plea for 36 additional charges. He initially faced 46 state charges.

The plea deal reduced the felony charges to Class A misdemeanors.

Spencer Walsh, the judge, suspended a prison sentence, instead imposing a $25,000 fine.

The judge acknowledged YoungBoy’s prior agreement to serve over two years in prison and five years of probation for a related federal case resolved in September.

Authorities revealed that YoungBoy orchestrated the scheme from his home in Huntsville, Utah, where he posed as a doctor, using stolen identities to call in fraudulent prescriptions.

His associates allegedly collected the drugs from area pharmacies.

During sentencing, Walsh offered words of encouragement for the 25-year-old artiste.

“I’m sure that in your future, once you’re done with your federal prison time, you can be really successful on federal probation and have a really bright future where you can reach your full potential in every aspect of your life,” he said.

YoungBoy, known for his 2018 debut studio album ‘Until Death Call My Name’ and projects like ‘AI YoungBoy 2’ (2019) and ‘Sincerely, Kentrell’ (2021), is also facing an unresolved federal gun case in Louisiana.

The rapper, born Kentrell DeSean Gaulden, recently announced plans to release his new album, ‘I Just Got a Lot on My Shoulders’, on December 6.

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Bodex F. Hungbo, SPMIIM is a multiple award-winning Nigerian Digital Media Practitioner, Digital Strategist, PR consultant, Brand and Event Expert, Tv Presenter, Tier-A Blogger/Influencer, and a top cobbler in Nigeria.

She has widespread experiences across different professions and skills, which includes experiences in; Marketing, Media, Broadcasting, Brand and Event Management, Administration and Management with prior stints at MTN, NAPIMS-NNPC, GLOBAL FLEET OIL AND GAS, LTV, Silverbird and a host of others

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