A Historic Victory for the United States
Jazell Barbie Royale is an American transgender beauty queen, singer, entertainer, and advocate whose victory at Miss International Queen 2019 became an important moment in the competition's history.
Representing the United States, Jazell traveled to Pattaya, Thailand, to compete against transgender women from around the world. On March 8, 2019, she was crowned Miss International Queen 2019.
Breaking a Barrier on the International Stage
Jazell's victory was historic. She became the first Black trans woman to win Miss International Queen, giving greater visibility to Black transgender women on an international beauty competition stage.
Her achievement carried particular meaning because Jazell had previously questioned whether someone who looked like her could win the competition. Her eventual victory expanded the range of women who could see themselves represented among its titleholders.
Beauty and Talent
Jazell competed against contestants from different parts of the world at the 2019 competition. In addition to winning the main crown, she also received the Best Talent award.
Her background as a singer and entertainer became an important part of her pageant journey. She brought her performance experience, confidence, and personality to the international stage.
Using Her Crown for Advocacy
Jazell wanted her title to have a purpose beyond pageantry. Following her victory, she spoke about using her increased visibility to promote transgender equality and help people better understand the trans community.
She also used her platform to promote HIV awareness, including the importance of testing, education, and access to healthcare.
Representation That Changed Pageant History
For Black trans women, Jazell's victory provided meaningful representation at the highest level of one of the world's best-known transgender beauty competitions.
She entered a competition where she had never previously seen a winner who reflected her own background and left Thailand as the woman who changed that history.
Jazell Barbie Royale's Miss International Queen 2019 crown remains an example of how a beauty competition can become a platform for visibility, talent, representation, and advocacy.
Her victory showed future contestants that international pageantry can celebrate women from many different backgrounds, appearances, and life experiences.