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Transgender Woman Who Was Disowned By Her Family Becomes Miss Intercontinental New Zealand 2020
Interview
Arielle Keil has made history in the land of the Kiwis—this year, she became the first transgender and Filipino woman to be crowned Miss Intercontinental New Zealand and was over the moon with happiness. She began transitioning in 2017, but her family initially disowned her and kicked her out of their home when they found out. Despite the lack of support from her own family, she has flourished, and her relationship with her dad has improved since then.
Arielle underwent gender reassignment surgery in 2020 and now, at the age of 26, she’s more joyous, more confident than ever, having had her beauty recognized by so many people. She will represent New Zealand in the Miss Intercontinental pageant.
“When I heard I was crowned Miss Intercontinental NZ, it was a surreal feeling! It didn’t feel real then and even to this day it doesn’t feel real sometimes!” Arielle shared just how happy she is with Bored Panda. “This is a thought I have several times a day whilst looking in the mirror whilst clothed in an oversized hoodie and a scrunchie to keep my mane of hair in a messy bun, “Little old Ari is a beauty queen. Me. From the middle of nowhere. That’s so strange.’ It’s hard to wrap my head around as it hasn’t really changed the way I see myself which is just a regular girl.”
Read on for our full interview with Arielle where she opens up about her relationship with her family and her advice for members of the LGBTQ community.
More info: Instagram | Facebook
RELATED:
Arielle Keil became Miss Intercontinental New Zealand 2020
Image credits: arielle.keil
She is the first trans and Filipino woman to hold this title
Image credits: arielle.keil
Image credits: arielle.keil
Image credits: arielle.keil
Image credits: arielle.keil
Image credits: arielle.keil
Image credits: arielle.keil
Arielle revealed that her relationship with her father is something that has been a work in progress throughout her entire life, not just during her transition.
“At first, he struggled to connect with me because we’re so different and there isn’t much of a common ground which is vastly different to most father/son relationships. Since transitioning, it’s been slightly different. Finding my feet as an adult after getting kicked out of home and becoming fully independent has earned the respect of my father,” she explained.
“I showed him that this isn’t a phase and that I am serious about my transition and this dream of being a titleholder in the world of pageantry. I feel like now I am just myself fully and with my dad now seeing me and treating me as his daughter our parent/child relationship is so much healthier and makes sense.”
Arielle said that she’d like to remind any member of her community who is struggling with being scared and alone that there are two types of family in life: “The family you are born into by blood and the family you create for yourself later on. If you no longer have ties to your blood family, go out into your local queer safe spaces, make friends, and build a family.”
She pointed out that to her, as a queer person, her chosen family, which consists of all kinds of people, is just as important to her as her blood family. “Like so many other queer people, my chosen family has pulled me through extremely dark places and put a roof over my head when I had nowhere to stay. Find your tribe, stick with them, love, and cherish them and no matter what happens you will never feel alone.”
Image credits: arielle.keil
Image credits: arielle.keil
Image credits: arielle.keil
Image credits: arielle.keil
Image credits: arielle.keil
Image credits: arielle.keil
Image credits: arielle.keil
Arielle was born as a boy named Andrew in Davao City, in the Philippines, but grew up in Auckland, New Zealand. She wasn’t just the first post-op trans person to win the Miss Intercontinental New Zealand title, she was also the first post-op trans woman to compete in the Miss New Zealand beauty pageant.
“The pageant was an amazing experience! It’s something I’ve wanted to do for the longest time so to actually live out my dream has been amazing!” the winner told Metro.
The contestant revealed that coming out as a transgender woman was far more terrifying for her personally than coming out as a gay man. According to her, coming out forever changes your entire life and how your friends, family, and acquaintances see you.
However, she didn’t want to have any regrets and “waste” her twenties in the “wrong body,” so she opted for coming out. When her family gave her an ultimatum (stop or leave home), she packed everything she owned in a trash bag and walked out, unsure of what would happen next.
Fortunately, things have since improved. Now, Arielle’s father fully accepts her as his daughter and is proud of her. A father’s love, a shining crown, and a degree in fashion design under her belt? Sounds like Arielle just won 2020.
“To any queer person wanting to do beauty pageants, I would tell them to continue to be themselves unapologetically,” she told GMA News Online.
Here’s how some people reacted to Arielle’s victory
What do you think ?
Happy_Pandalover 4 years ago
Well she is a woman and so she has every right to compete in a woman‘s beauty contest. Congrats and best luck to her. She‘s stunning.
Uncommon Boston 4 years ago (edited)
Judging, then deciding someone's value based on sexual orientation, ethnicity, or other issue that is none of your business, limits your pool of potential friends and partners. From the little I understand, a transformation like hers is extremely difficult. I am sure she knew the challenges she would face. To be true to the person she is, an external transformation is needed. On the inside and outside, she is 100% female. Not only is her transformation complete, she is succeeds as a woman. She deserves your respect, not dismissal.
brattysub21 4 years ago (edited)
I understand that everyone has a right to their own opinion but when your opinion is as valid as the s**t that comes out of your ass then I think maybe you should reevaluate your so called opinion. This woman is VALID!! Idc what anyone else says she is a woman and she is amazing and quite f*****g frankly she is hot as s**t so with that being said if you have nothing nice to say don’t f*****g comment!!!!!!! #MICDROP
eezycheezes101 4 years ago
Lol brattysub21: "Idc what anyone else says she is a woman and she is amazing and quite f*****g frankly she is hot as s**t" I hecking LOVE IT. She is beautiful. I wish she was the author of this submission so I could tell her how absolutely beautiful she looks. Oh, wait. She DEFINITELY already knows that. YOU GO GIRL!!!
Load More Replies...
OrangeChicken 4 years ago
Jeez, all the hate people give trans-women is... yikes. Being a Trans-guy, people just assume that i'm a "Tom-boy" or "In a phase". But Trans-Women get like ACUTALLY hated on. and it's sad. sad that our society can't just grow up. It doesn't even affect you so why do you even care. People act like we're trying to "promote our cause" and that we are edging people on to become trans. ALL WE WANT IS TO PEE IN THE RIGHT RESTROOMS, TO BE CALLED THE RIGHT PRONOUNS AND NAMES, AND TO LIVE OUR LIVES NOT CONSTENTLY IN FEAR OF BEING FIRED FROM OUR JOBS OR BEING DISOWNED BY OUR FAMILIES BECAUSE WE WANT TO LIVE LIFE AS WHO WE REALLY ARE. If I had to live life as a woman, I would kill my self. All Trans men would. Same with Trans Women. It's a harsh reality that some people just don't want to understand. Ok, rant over.
HarperTheCentaur (they/them) 4 years ago
So true! I'm nonbinary (duh) and I just... so many people seem to take my gender as a personal insult?? Like, hon, this isn't about you. This was happening before I knew you existed, get over yourself. And it's just so frustrating when people don't want to use my pronouns. It isn't that difficult, you don't have to agree with me just.. use my pronouns! Please! I don't care if you mess up, but I've had people tell me outright that they aren't going to and just-why not? If you can give me a single logical reason why not, you're excused from having to use my pronouns. Call me whatever you want. But you can't. So maybe just, I dunno, use the pronouns corresponding with my gender like a normal person?
Load More Replies...
Wolfstar 4 years ago
To all of the transphobic comments on here: screw you. She is a woman. Yes, she was born a man but she made the transition to a woman. On the inside in and out, she is a woman, beautiful and strong. Arielle went through being disowned and kicked out. That's a hard thing to go through, and I know it hurts. I was disowned for my sexuality, and the fact that Arielle bounced back and achieved her dreams is very inspiring to me. Arielle's gender is female. Sex and gender are two different things. Sex is the biological characteristics of a person, while gender refers to self-perception and expression. This WOMAN is beautiful, strong, and victorious in all of her endeavours. Kudos to you, Arielle!
Blue of the yams (They/He) 4 years ago
What a goddess! Protect and respect trans women, they are as "real" as any AFAB lady. (I'm looking at you, JK Rowling.)
KombatBunni 4 years ago
I would fiercely defend trans womens rights..and anyone else from that community too! As for Ms Rowling, I’m very disappointed in her
Load More Replies... 
Jo666 4 years ago
To the person saying that they don't like this because being transgender is only 1% of the population: OMG I COMPLETELY AGREE! Like, I'm not black and I keep hearing about black rights and stuff! Now do you see how stupid you sound? Just because you ain't trans does not mean you have to disrespecting a queen! So keep your BS opinion to yourself, because here we stan a gorgeous queen, even if she is transgender. Oh and she is a SHE and a WOMAN! Go NZ for realising and accepting this!
Soap 4 years ago (edited)
Beautiful and strong person, whether a he or she. (Edit: I meant before and after the transition, sorry.)
Blue of the yams (They/He) 4 years ago
It's pretty clear that she's a she.
Load More Replies...
Juuliaare 4 years ago
I would love to write a very mean message to all of the transphobic people in the comments, but I’ve learned that hate doesn’t drive out hate. Love can though. So to everyone who is deciding to be mean to this beautiful woman, I hope you learn to be better people, and that you stop attacking others from the safety of your screen.
Kai the guy 4 years ago
Hi, I saw a ton of transphobic comments, so instead of responding to them all, I'm just going to respond to all of them at once: Have you ever heard the saying "if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all"? Please do that, she is not hurting anyone, and I don't know if you have been brain washed or are just stupid, but it has been actually scientifically proven that TRANS PEOPLE ARE REAL! So please go learn something with your pebble sized brains instead of attacking people who are just trying to be themselves. This woman has been through enough transphobia, keep your messed up opinions to yourself.
Danielle Wigger 4 years ago
no one should be treated differently based off what gender you are.
Mimi777 4 years ago
She looks great! I’m happy for her. I don’t understand the trolls on here who have so much hate in their heart towards others. Why do you care what someone else does with their life ? Why do you hate to see someone else happy? The way someone else lives their life has literally no affect on your life. You can have your opinion about it all you want but it’s not going to change anything it’s not going to stop people from being transgender as much as u hate it. So judge and hate all u want, there’s nothing you can do about it.
Blivious Mitch 2 years ago (edited)
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
Load More Replies...
Victoria Lenny 4 years ago
Beautiful and powerful! Always happy to see trans women succeeding and thriving <3
SylvieSylvieSylvie 4 years ago
lol tom holland has already done an undercover video and bored panda wasn't included, so this fake person is just really being dumb.
Load More Replies...
Brandi VanSteenwyk 4 years ago
LOGICAL family vs. BIOLOGICAL family.... She's not the only person who has realized which one is more LOGICAL!
Lara Verne 4 years ago
Lovely lady. Congratulations to her and I hope the relationship with her family improves. She talked only about her father, I hope rest of her family accept her as well.
Sequoia 2 years ago
Holy cow! She's so beautiful. I'm glad she and her father are talking again.
Rose 3 years ago
All of the horrible transphobic comments on this post make me so sad... but thank you to all the people who stood up for this amazing woman you guys are awesome
Esmeralda Djali 4 years ago
She is beautiful. I'm glad her relationship with her father woked out.
KombatBunni 4 years ago
She’s so pretty, and her wardrobe! I’m super jealous..congrats to her :)
Gay Llama 3 years ago (edited)
She is amazingly beautiful like how is it possible! Although, doe sit Mena she is the first trans woman and the first Filipino woman, or first trans and Filipino woman?
Crowley The Snake 3 years ago
You do realize then ALL the contestents could have had surgary?
Load More Replies...
Lyra Fortune 4 years ago
Keep your crappy opinions to yourself. Go read some human and scientifically backed stuff rather than Karens website off your phone while you're sitting on a toilet.
Load More Replies...
Blue of the yams (They/He) 4 years ago
That's absolute bullsh*t. Trans women are real women. Even if you don't think so, just let her live her life instead of attacking her. Also, news flash: no one cares that you don't accept trans people. We don't live our lives to be accepted by jerks like yourself.
Load More Replies...
Ruth Mayfly 4 years ago
I'm a woman. I was born a girl. Airelle is also a real woman and I have no problem with her winning at all. It does not infringe on my rights or any other woman's rights. There's your answer. Also, get stuffed with imagining that 'the right to compete in or win beauty pagents' is at all a significant part of women's rights. You clearly have no idea what women have to put up with, that they're actually fighting for rights for.
Load More Replies...
GaySloth 4 years ago
She is a real woman. She even got surgery to prove it (as I can see in the pics). Sex doesn't equal gender. Grow up.
Load More Replies...
Happy_Pandalover 4 years ago
Well she is a woman and so she has every right to compete in a woman‘s beauty contest. Congrats and best luck to her. She‘s stunning.
Uncommon Boston 4 years ago (edited)
Judging, then deciding someone's value based on sexual orientation, ethnicity, or other issue that is none of your business, limits your pool of potential friends and partners. From the little I understand, a transformation like hers is extremely difficult. I am sure she knew the challenges she would face. To be true to the person she is, an external transformation is needed. On the inside and outside, she is 100% female. Not only is her transformation complete, she is succeeds as a woman. She deserves your respect, not dismissal.
brattysub21 4 years ago (edited)
I understand that everyone has a right to their own opinion but when your opinion is as valid as the s**t that comes out of your ass then I think maybe you should reevaluate your so called opinion. This woman is VALID!! Idc what anyone else says she is a woman and she is amazing and quite f*****g frankly she is hot as s**t so with that being said if you have nothing nice to say don’t f*****g comment!!!!!!! #MICDROP
eezycheezes101 4 years ago
Lol brattysub21: "Idc what anyone else says she is a woman and she is amazing and quite f*****g frankly she is hot as s**t" I hecking LOVE IT. She is beautiful. I wish she was the author of this submission so I could tell her how absolutely beautiful she looks. Oh, wait. She DEFINITELY already knows that. YOU GO GIRL!!!
Load More Replies... OrangeChicken 4 years ago
Jeez, all the hate people give trans-women is... yikes. Being a Trans-guy, people just assume that i'm a "Tom-boy" or "In a phase". But Trans-Women get like ACUTALLY hated on. and it's sad. sad that our society can't just grow up. It doesn't even affect you so why do you even care. People act like we're trying to "promote our cause" and that we are edging people on to become trans. ALL WE WANT IS TO PEE IN THE RIGHT RESTROOMS, TO BE CALLED THE RIGHT PRONOUNS AND NAMES, AND TO LIVE OUR LIVES NOT CONSTENTLY IN FEAR OF BEING FIRED FROM OUR JOBS OR BEING DISOWNED BY OUR FAMILIES BECAUSE WE WANT TO LIVE LIFE AS WHO WE REALLY ARE. If I had to live life as a woman, I would kill my self. All Trans men would. Same with Trans Women. It's a harsh reality that some people just don't want to understand. Ok, rant over.
HarperTheCentaur (they/them) 4 years ago
So true! I'm nonbinary (duh) and I just... so many people seem to take my gender as a personal insult?? Like, hon, this isn't about you. This was happening before I knew you existed, get over yourself. And it's just so frustrating when people don't want to use my pronouns. It isn't that difficult, you don't have to agree with me just.. use my pronouns! Please! I don't care if you mess up, but I've had people tell me outright that they aren't going to and just-why not? If you can give me a single logical reason why not, you're excused from having to use my pronouns. Call me whatever you want. But you can't. So maybe just, I dunno, use the pronouns corresponding with my gender like a normal person?
Load More Replies... Wolfstar 4 years ago
To all of the transphobic comments on here: screw you. She is a woman. Yes, she was born a man but she made the transition to a woman. On the inside in and out, she is a woman, beautiful and strong. Arielle went through being disowned and kicked out. That's a hard thing to go through, and I know it hurts. I was disowned for my sexuality, and the fact that Arielle bounced back and achieved her dreams is very inspiring to me. Arielle's gender is female. Sex and gender are two different things. Sex is the biological characteristics of a person, while gender refers to self-perception and expression. This WOMAN is beautiful, strong, and victorious in all of her endeavours. Kudos to you, Arielle!
Blue of the yams (They/He) 4 years ago
What a goddess! Protect and respect trans women, they are as "real" as any AFAB lady. (I'm looking at you, JK Rowling.)
KombatBunni 4 years ago
I would fiercely defend trans womens rights..and anyone else from that community too! As for Ms Rowling, I’m very disappointed in her
Load More Replies... Jo666 4 years ago
To the person saying that they don't like this because being transgender is only 1% of the population: OMG I COMPLETELY AGREE! Like, I'm not black and I keep hearing about black rights and stuff! Now do you see how stupid you sound? Just because you ain't trans does not mean you have to disrespecting a queen! So keep your BS opinion to yourself, because here we stan a gorgeous queen, even if she is transgender. Oh and she is a SHE and a WOMAN! Go NZ for realising and accepting this!
Soap 4 years ago (edited)
Beautiful and strong person, whether a he or she. (Edit: I meant before and after the transition, sorry.)
Blue of the yams (They/He) 4 years ago
It's pretty clear that she's a she.
Load More Replies... Juuliaare 4 years ago
I would love to write a very mean message to all of the transphobic people in the comments, but I’ve learned that hate doesn’t drive out hate. Love can though. So to everyone who is deciding to be mean to this beautiful woman, I hope you learn to be better people, and that you stop attacking others from the safety of your screen.
Kai the guy 4 years ago
Hi, I saw a ton of transphobic comments, so instead of responding to them all, I'm just going to respond to all of them at once: Have you ever heard the saying "if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all"? Please do that, she is not hurting anyone, and I don't know if you have been brain washed or are just stupid, but it has been actually scientifically proven that TRANS PEOPLE ARE REAL! So please go learn something with your pebble sized brains instead of attacking people who are just trying to be themselves. This woman has been through enough transphobia, keep your messed up opinions to yourself.
Danielle Wigger 4 years ago
no one should be treated differently based off what gender you are.
Mimi777 4 years ago
She looks great! I’m happy for her. I don’t understand the trolls on here who have so much hate in their heart towards others. Why do you care what someone else does with their life ? Why do you hate to see someone else happy? The way someone else lives their life has literally no affect on your life. You can have your opinion about it all you want but it’s not going to change anything it’s not going to stop people from being transgender as much as u hate it. So judge and hate all u want, there’s nothing you can do about it.
Blivious Mitch 2 years ago (edited)
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
Load More Replies... Victoria Lenny 4 years ago
Beautiful and powerful! Always happy to see trans women succeeding and thriving <3
SylvieSylvieSylvie 4 years ago
lol tom holland has already done an undercover video and bored panda wasn't included, so this fake person is just really being dumb.
Load More Replies... Brandi VanSteenwyk 4 years ago
LOGICAL family vs. BIOLOGICAL family.... She's not the only person who has realized which one is more LOGICAL!
Lara Verne 4 years ago
Lovely lady. Congratulations to her and I hope the relationship with her family improves. She talked only about her father, I hope rest of her family accept her as well.
Sequoia 2 years ago
Holy cow! She's so beautiful. I'm glad she and her father are talking again.
Rose 3 years ago
All of the horrible transphobic comments on this post make me so sad... but thank you to all the people who stood up for this amazing woman you guys are awesome
Esmeralda Djali 4 years ago
She is beautiful. I'm glad her relationship with her father woked out.
KombatBunni 4 years ago
She’s so pretty, and her wardrobe! I’m super jealous..congrats to her :)
Gay Llama 3 years ago (edited)
She is amazingly beautiful like how is it possible! Although, doe sit Mena she is the first trans woman and the first Filipino woman, or first trans and Filipino woman?
Crowley The Snake 3 years ago
You do realize then ALL the contestents could have had surgary?
Load More Replies... Lyra Fortune 4 years ago
Keep your crappy opinions to yourself. Go read some human and scientifically backed stuff rather than Karens website off your phone while you're sitting on a toilet.
Load More Replies... Blue of the yams (They/He) 4 years ago
That's absolute bullsh*t. Trans women are real women. Even if you don't think so, just let her live her life instead of attacking her. Also, news flash: no one cares that you don't accept trans people. We don't live our lives to be accepted by jerks like yourself.
Load More Replies... Ruth Mayfly 4 years ago
I'm a woman. I was born a girl. Airelle is also a real woman and I have no problem with her winning at all. It does not infringe on my rights or any other woman's rights. There's your answer. Also, get stuffed with imagining that 'the right to compete in or win beauty pagents' is at all a significant part of women's rights. You clearly have no idea what women have to put up with, that they're actually fighting for rights for.
Load More Replies... GaySloth 4 years ago
She is a real woman. She even got surgery to prove it (as I can see in the pics). Sex doesn't equal gender. Grow up.
Load More Replies...
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