Van from Japan does her makeup backstage as she prepares to compete with 20 other transgender women at the Miss International Queen 2019, an annual transgender beauty pageant celebrated in Pattaya on March 8, 2019.
Contestants wait for their turn to talk with the Jury during the Miss International Queen 2019, an annual transgender beauty pageant celebrated in Pattaya on March 8, 2019.
Adriana Jya of Peru after talking with the Jury during the Miss International Queen 2019, an annual transgender beauty pageant celebrated in Pattaya on March 8, 2019.
A traditional costume from Peru during the national costume round at the Miss International Queen 2019, an annual transgender beauty pageant celebrated in Pattaya on March 8, 2019.
Contestants wear traditional costumes with an innovative touch for the national costume round at Miss International Queen 2019, an annual transgender beauty pageant celebrated in Pattaya on March 8, 2019.
Contestants backstage during the Miss International Queen 2019, an annual transgender beauty pageant celebrated in Pattaya on March 8, 2019.
A contestant gets ready backstage as she prepares for the final round of Miss International Queen 2019, an annual transgender beauty pageant celebrated in Pattaya on March 8, 2019.
Contestants wait for their turn to talk with the Jury during the Miss International Queen 2019, an annual transgender beauty pageant celebrated in Pattaya on March 8, 2019.
A contestant gets ready backstage during the Miss International Queen 2019, an annual transgender beauty pageant celebrated in Pattaya on March 8, 2019.
A contestant gets ready backstage during the Miss International Queen 2019, an annual transgender beauty pageant celebrated in Pattaya on March 8, 2019.
Rafaela Manfrini of Brazil adds the finishing touches to her makeup backstage during the celebration of Miss International Queen 2019, an annual transgender beauty pageant celebrated in Pattaya on March 8, 2019
Jazell Barbie Royale of USA poses for the cameras after getting her makeup done. Jazell was crowned 'Miss International Queen 2019'.
Contestants backstage during the Miss International Queen 2019, an annual transgender beauty pageant celebrated in Pattaya on March 8, 2019.
Jazell Barbie Royale from the USA was crowned 'Miss International Queen 2019' in Pattaya, Thailand, on March 8. This yearly event is considered as one of the world's biggest and most popular beauty pageant for transgender women. 20 contestants from around the world competed for the crown this year taking part in various rounds, including the national costume performance. Thailand's contestant Kanwara Kaewjin and Yaya of China were named first and second runner-up, respectively. This well-known pageant was launched in 2014 as a platform for trans women to display their talent and to raise understanding and acceptance of transgender people. While they all fiercely compete to win the title of Miss International Queen, the event also brings trans women together and offers them an opportunity to speak out for transgender equality. The contestants come from different backgrounds, but they all share similar stories of both discrimination and achievement over their identities.
Do Nhat Ha from Vietnam during the national costume round at Miss International Queen 2019, an annual transgender beauty pageant celebrated in Pattaya on March 8, 2019.
An interview with Richard Aoun, Saly Greige's (Miss Lebanon), answering questions concerning the selfie scandal that occurred when Miss Israel 'allegedly' 'photobombed' her.
Miss Lebanon celebrating Lebanese Independence Day in London
Miss Lebanon 2014, Saly Greige, with her Agent Richard Pharon
Greige posing over the bay of Jounieh, Lebanon.
Saly Greige being crowned Miss Lebanon 2014
For the last three years Nepal has been organizing Elephant Beauty Contest in December in Chitwan. On Dec 28, beautifully dressed up with colorful makeup, Pinky Kali, Prakriti Kali and Chitwan Kali walked on the ramp. A team of judges looked at their physical hygiene,body structures, their nails and dresses. The event seemed like any other beauty pageants however with elephants as the participants. Elephants' intelligence was also judged. Elephants perform catwalk, shake hands and greet as requested by the judges.
Chitwan Kali, an elephant from the Chitwan National Park won the award.
"It didn't go as I expected," Aar said later, when back at home.
The team of judges decided to give the beauty award to Chitwan Kali, an elephant from the Chitwan National Park. Aar's Pinki didn't receive any award this year. She and her owner returned home empty handed.
Aar is the man behind Pinki's beauty, Dec. 28, 2012, Chitwan. A team of judges looked at their physical hygiene,body structures, their nails and dresses.
Pinki at the main gate of the venue in Chitwan, Dec. 28, 2012. The event seemed like any other beauty pageants however with elephants as the participants.
Beautifully dressed up and with colourful makeup, the three finalists – Pinki Kali, Prakriti Kali and Chitwan Kali – walk on the ramp.
Pinki is the main source of income for Aar's family.
On Dec 28, beautifully dressed up with colorful makeup, Pinky Kali, Prakriti Kali and Chitwan Kali walked on the ramp.
Five elephants participated in the beauty pageant and Pinki is among the three picked for the final round.
Aar uses red, pink, green, blue and black colours to paint various symbols and signs on her body, Dec. 28, 2012, Chitwan. Aar and Dosh hope that Pinki will win the beauty contest.
Aar Mohammad (right), 20, and Dosh Mohammad, 24, paint Pinki on Dec. 28, 2012 in Chitwan. She was washed on the banks of the river Rapti early in the morning.
Pinki Kali, one of the participants at the elephant beauty contest, painted on Dec. 28, 2012 in Chitwan, Nepal. This was the third Elephant Beauty Contest held in Nepal.
For the last three years Nepal has been organizing Elephant Beauty Contest in December in Chitwan. On Dec 28, beautifully dressed up with colorful makeup, Pinky Kali, Prakriti Kali and Chitwan Kali walked on the ramp. A team of judges looked at their physical hygiene,body structures, their nails and dresses. The event seemed like any other beauty pageants however with elephants as the participants. Elephants' intelligence was also judged. Elephants perform catwalk, shake hands and greet as requested by the judges.
Chitwan Kali, an elephant from the Chitwan National Park won the award.
Greige at the age of 11