First transgender contestant at Miss Universe: Miss Spain Angela Ponce is breaking all barriers

Carrying a bold mess of inclusion, trans rights and a sharp rebuke to stereo, Miss Spain's Angela Ponce is blazing a trail as first trans contestant in Miss Universe's 66-year history. willowy beauty is making history since pant reversed a longstanding policy in 2012 that participants must be "naturally born" women.

Explaining her bro appeal plain-speaking 27-year-old says "who hasn't suffered from prejudice? Who hasn't h to deal with bullying?"

Outside walls of Miss Universe - trans community continues to be marginalised and misunderstood. She took issue with classification of transs by large sections of society based on prejudice and narrow assessments of .

(Source: Instagram)

"Outsiders say what I can and cant do, what I am and what I am t,'" Ponce said in an interview.

", I'm sorry. To be a woman is your identity".

Ponce, who works with a foundation in Spain helping children struggling with stigma linked to being trans, is aware of visibility she brings to Miss Universe platform.

Her performance has so far drawn praise, from her portrayal of a flamenco dancer during national costume portion of competition to her strut down runway in a shimmery mermaid-like gown in evening dress category.

"You can empower yourself like I have and turn something negative into your biggest strength," she said.

"Children are born without prejudices and I think that if we talk to m about diversity from a young   ... we can create a new generation of human beings who are raised a lot better, more tolerant and respectful."

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Five-time Emmy Award winner and television entertainer, Steve Harvey, is set to host. Model, entrepreneur and body activist Ashley Graham returns as backst host to take viewers behind scenes. Grammy-winning singer, songwriter and record producer NE-YO will perform. TV personality and style guru Carson Kressley and supermodel and pant expert Lu Sierra team up once again as competition insiders to provide analysis and commentary throughout live telecast. 2018 MISS UNIVERSE selection committee is first-ever all-women panel me up of entrepreneurs, business leers and industry experts, some of whom are former Miss Universe titleholders.

This year marks first time in more than twenty years same group of individuals will oversee both preliminary and final rounds, ultimately crowning new Miss Universe. Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters from South Africa will crown her successor at conclusion of three-hour special programming event.