Exclusive | Feature Spotlight
29-year-old Filipino American model, fashion designer, and transgender rights activist Kataluna Enriquez made history as the first transgender woman to compete in Miss USA. Throughout her pageantry career, Kataluna Enriquez has obtained monumental feats.
After winning the preliminary competition Miss Silver State USA pageant in March of 2021, Kataluna went on to be crowned the coveted Miss Nevada USA that same year, becoming the first openly trans woman to win a state title!
In a special coronation event held on November 11, 2023 in Las Vegas, Kataluna was officially crowned as Miss International Queen USA 2024, the world’s largest and most prestigious pageant for transgender women. She later represented the USA at the Miss International Queen 2024 pageant in Pattaya, Thailand this past August.
In an exclusive interview with Gaye Magazine's Nekeith Mitchell, Kataluna opened up about her pageantry challenges, her fashion line Kataluna Kouture, dating as a trans woman and her plans for the future.
Kataluna Enriquez immigrated to the U.S. from the Philippines with her family at the age of ten. She recalls an early life facing adversity from her peers for her cultural roots.
"It was definitely a culture shock. In many ways, having to learn to speak a new language and going to school, the kids making fun of you for bringing your own snack or foods that aren't really recognized as American."
She further shared she felt different, specifically when it came to her gender identity and knowing little about being transgender.
“I didn't necessarily know the verbiage to it. And then at that time, I don't think trans was really being discussed or the verbiage of the vocabulary of trans didn't necessarily exist,” she said.
During her freshman year of high school, Kataluna discovered her first taste at openly expressing her gender identity when her school held an opposite day for Spirit Week.
"I just never went back. I felt beautiful. I felt really at peace. And for once in my life, I felt confident. I kept going. It's been Opposite Day ever since then.”
Kataluna shared that growing up she longed to see more transgender representation on screen more specifically in mainstream pageantry and television.
“I've always hoped to see a trans person on that stage," Kataluna tells Gaye Magazine.
"Similar to the Victoria's Secret show, I've always wanted to see someone who's just like me, who's a trans person, who represents the idea of not being necessarily tied to a gender or specific gender roles.”
After competing in several trans-exclusive pageants she sought out mainstream pageantry, eventually claiming several crowns including Miss Silver State USA and Miss Nevada USA. Her ascent in mainstream pageantry helped her make history where she became the first openly transgender woman to become qualified to compete for Miss USA.
While she longed to see an openly transgender woman competing in mainstream pageantry, Kataluna said she didn't expect it to be her.
"I didn't know that I was going to end up being the person that I wanted to see. So it was a lot of work. I'm not going to lie.”
Despite qualifying to compete she said she was met with criticism. “There were many moments where I was kind of told to not do it. There were also moments where I was discouraged, "she said.
What should have been a dream come true eventually showed itself to be a nightmare. Enriquez recalls facing discrimination throughout her tenure as a contestant at the 2021 Miss USA pageant, revealing that when she initially submitted her application, the organizers of the competition recognized and accepted her as a female. But as time went on organizers asked for a letter from her doctor confirming she had undergone sex reassignment surgery.
In addition to being chastised about her gender, Kataluna said she was treated differently in comparison to her competitors who were assigned roommates, while she was forced to board alone.
“The entire time I was kind of just pushed inside and othered,” she said.
She described her experience at the competition as horrible, “I wish no one would ever have to experience what I did” she said.
“That experience ultimately pushed me to moving to a different state, Nevada, and then representing, going all in and advocating for myself and advocating for the community.”
Last year she went back to her roots competing in the Miss International Queen pageant, where she placed in the competition's top 6 and earned titles in “Best Social Influencer” and “Best Talent".
During the talent portion of the Miss International Queen competition in Thailand this past August, Kataluna performed a ballroom-themed routine to Madonna’s “Vogue” which she said she pulled together in two rehearsals.
"I had two days when I arrived in Thailand. The first day I had rehearsals for two hours and then the next day was my last rehearsal just to clean it all up. And it was challenging because I don't know anyone who gets six hours to rehearse and then have to perform it.” she said.
Kataluna said the routine was a way to represent the US culture more specifically LGBTQ+ subcultures.
"There's so many layers to it. And so I wanted people to know that I am the kind of person who's not afraid to stand up for other people, to be free to express myself, and not be limited by my gender."
In addition to her pageantry and advocacy work, Kataluna Enriquez is a businesswoman - owning her own fashion line Kataluna Kouture, which she said was born out of necessity and inclusivity.
“I started my business because when I started competing in pageantry, I couldn't afford my own gowns. I also couldn't find something that fit my body type. Being trans, I know that my body is very different. Different in a way that is unique."
Kataluna revealed she launched the line due in part to her experiences with designers who weren't willing to work with her body type during modeling shoots.
“Those moments were tough for me, especially because I was still growing at this time. So I made my own business and I was like, you know what, if you're not going to dress me, if you don't want to dress me, if you don't like my body, if you don't like the way I look. I will show up in a way that you would want to be me, you know? And so I ended up designing my own stuff. So Kataluna Kouture and the way that I design, my design elements have always been about freedom and celebration of body..."
The Future
Next, Kataluna will be passing her crown in the inaugural Miss International Queen USA pageant in Las Vegas, December 10th through the 12th. “I am inviting everyone in the country to support trans women from all over the country, from all over the state."
She continued saying, "We have 26 contestants vying to compete for the next title and to hopefully represent our country at the next edition of the Miss International Queen Pageant.”
Enriquez said she is sad to be letting go of her title but is excited to see who her successor will be.
“I am looking forward to supporting the next girl and making sure that she represents our country very well,” she said.
Outside of her creative endeavors, Enriquez said she wants to prioritize her happiness and hopes to continue building her drag career, with hopes of landing on a major network Drag television competition series.
Check out Nekeith Mitchell's full interview with Kataluna Enriquez for Gaye Magazine below. Here, she discusses pretty privilege and navigating dating as a trans woman.