In June of 2021 history was made as 28-year-old Kataluna Enriquez became the first openly transgender woman to win a Miss USA state preliminary as she won Miss Nevada USA.
As she prepares for the Miss USA competition, Enriquez is also working as a fashion designer, healthcare administrator, and an entrepreneur to her clothing line, Kataluna Kouture. This queen of many talents designs and sells gowns and even designed her own winning rainbow gown that she wore at Miss Nevada USA.
With the goal of sharing her story, Enriquez began competing in transgender pageants in 2016 and eventually competed in her first cisgender pageant in 2021. She shared her story of bullying, revealing that she was abused by classmates and not allowed to use either the boy’s or girl’s bathroom.
As a member of the LGBTQ community, Enriquez strongly advocates for LGBTQ visibility, trans rights, and diversity. She also advocates for mental health and is open about going to therapy as it has not only helped her get through the trauma caused by her sexual abuse, but it has also helped her understand herself more.
Enriquez is making history for trans women of color and says she hopes to continue to be a voice for that community.
In late November, she will be heading to the Paradise Cove Theater of River Spirit Casino Resort in Tulsa, Oklahoma as the first openly trans woman to compete for the title of Miss USA.
Watch Kataluna’s crowning moment below and clear your schedule to watch her compete for Miss USA on November 29, 2021!