Lo Colby traveled to Thailand to compete in Miss International Queen 2026. She left with an international crown and a new connection to her family’s roots.
On September 19, 2026, the Thai-American transgender woman, representing the United States, was crowned Miss International Queen 2026 at Tiffany’s Show Pattaya Theatre in Pattaya, Thailand.
Her victory gave the United States its second consecutive title in the international pageant for transgender women. Midori Monét had won in 2025.
For Colby, though, this trip was about more than a competition.
A Homecoming Through Her Mother’s Heritage
Colby was raised in Hawaii and has Thai heritage through her mother. Her journey to the pageant was also her first visit to Thailand, giving her an opportunity to experience a place that had long been part of her family’s story.
She arrived as the United States representative, but her connection to the host country made the experience personal in another way.
Colby has built a career in the United States as a drag performer, entrepreneur and marketing professional. Her work has also included supporting opportunities for LGBTQ+ people.
The international stage brought those parts of her life together: performance, professional ambition, community and family.
She Was Already Making an Impression
Colby’s crowning-night victory was not her only recognition during the competition.
At the National Costume and Talent Quest, she won Best in Talent. Japan’s Saki Iwai placed first runner-up in that category, followed by Vietnam’s Nguyen Cao Minh Anh.
The talent award gave Colby a chance to stand out for her performance before the final evening.
She later received additional special recognition during the finale, including the Future of Beauty award presented by Wansiri Hospital.
A Crown With a Wider Purpose
Colby has also been associated with Negotiate Your Narrative, an initiative focused on employment and economic opportunities for LGBTQIA+ people.
The initiative offers support with areas such as career development, job interviews and salary negotiation.
That work reflects a practical concern beyond pageantry: helping people gain confidence and access opportunities in their professional lives.
For Colby, the crown offers a larger platform for conversations she was already having about representation and economic opportunity.
The Final Results in Pattaya
The 2026 competition brought together representatives from 27 countries and marked the pageant’s 20th anniversary.
Colby won the title, with Thailand’s Theerachaya Pimkitidaj named first runner-up and Japan’s Saki Iwai second runner-up.
The event’s theme, “The Evolving Legacy: Empower Every Voice,” reflected the organization’s focus on giving transgender women an international platform to share their talents and experiences.
Colby’s win also marked the first time the same country had taken the Miss International Queen crown in back-to-back years.
A New Chapter for Lo Colby
There are several reasons this moment stands out in Colby’s story.
She won an international title. She earned recognition for her talent. And she experienced her mother’s homeland while representing the country where she grew up.
The crown is a career milestone, but it is also the beginning of a new chapter.
From Hawaii to Los Angeles to the stage in Pattaya, Lo Colby has brought her performance experience, professional work and personal history together in a moment she can now call her own.