Marina Machete

Marina Machete Reis^[1] (Portuguese pronunciation: [mɐˈɾinɐ mɐˈʃetɨ]; born 1 October 1995) is a Portuguese model and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss Universe Portugal 2023.^[2] She is the first Portuguese openly transgender woman to participate in the Miss Universe contest. She represented Portugal at the Miss Universe 2023 pageant in El Salvador and finished as a top 20 semifinalist, becoming the first openly trans woman to place. She is the second openly trans woman to compete in Miss Universe in 2023 after Rikkie Kollé of Netherlands.^[3] She also won the Most Confident Award at the competition.^[4]

Marina Machete Reis was born on October 1, 1995, in Palmela, Portugal, a town in the Lisbon Region and Setúbal District, approximately 25 kilometers south of Lisbon.^[5] Her early life was marked by a passion for fashion, beauty, and self-expression, which would later become the foundation of her successful modeling career. She was assigned male at birth before undergoing gender reassignment.^[6] As a result of being an openly transgender woman, she experienced a lot of backlashes and severe critics on Portuguese media after being crowned as Miss Universe Portugal. Machete posted to her Instagram account over the weekend after winning the contest, “to all of you watching, I just want to say that, just like the universe, your possibilities in life are limitless...so don’t limit yourself to any dream that you have.”^[7] She is the devout advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and inclusivity. She has spoken publicly about the challenges and triumphs she has faced as a trans woman, and her personal story has resonated with many.^[8]

Machete continues to inspire others with her courage, resilience, and determination.^[8]

Although there is no available information on her specific educational background, it is likely that Machete completed her primary and secondary education in Palmela or nearby Lisbon. Her education provided her with a solid foundation in languages, arts, and culture, which she has leveraged in her modeling and pageantry career.^[9]

Machete has experience modeling for various fashion brands and has appeared in editorial spreads, showcasing her versatility and ability to adapt to different styles and themes. Her modeling career has been a remarkable journey, marked by numerous achievements and milestones. She began her modeling career in 2018, shortly after being crowned Miss Universe Portugal. Her first modeling gig was with a local fashion brand in Portugal, where she appeared in a campaign showcasing the brand's summer collection.^[10]

Since then, Machete has worked with various fashion brands, appearing in editorials, campaigns, and runway shows. Her versatility and ability to adapt to different styles and themes have made her a sought-after model in the industry. She has modeled for both high-end and commercial brands, showcasing her range and ability to work with diverse clients.^[11] Some of her notable modeling achievements include appearing on the cover of Portuguese Vogue, walking the runway for top designers during Lisbon Fashion Week, featuring in campaigns for international brands such as L'Oréal and Maybelline, as well as gracing the pages of top fashion magazines such as Elle and Harper's Bazaar.^[11] Machete's modeling career has taken her to various destinations around the world, including New York, Paris, Milan, and Tokyo. She has experienced different cultures and worked with diverse teams, expanding her knowledge and skills in the process.

Machete's experience as a flight attendant in 2018 has honed her communication skills, adaptability, and ability to work under pressure, making her an excellent candidate for roles that require strong interpersonal skills and the ability to handle challenging situations. This role has allowed her to travel the world, meet new people, and develop a unique perspective on life.^[11][10]

As the beauty pageant titleholder and advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, Machete has developed strong public speaking skills, able to articulate her thoughts and opinions with confidence and poise. Thus, she is reported to be fluent in Portuguese, Spanish and English.^[12]

Machete's advocacy work for LGBTQ+ rights and inclusivity has given her experience in community outreach and engagement, able to connect with diverse groups and build relationships with stakeholders.^[11]

Machete has experience appearing on TV, radio, and online media, comfortable with interviews, debates, and discussions on various topics.^[11]

With a strong online presence, Machete has experience managing social media accounts, creating content, and engaging with followers. Days before winning the Miss Portugal title, the model took to social media to say she was proud to be the first trans woman to compete for the title. The post had more than 500 comments.^[6]

Her national victory took over the internet with praise and controversies alike.^[13] Despite facing criticism and backlash from some members of the Portuguese media and public, Machete remains steadfast in her commitment to inclusivity and diversity, using her platform to promote positive change and challenge outdated beauty standards.^[13]

Machete's pageantry journey began when she was crowned Miss Universe Portugal 2023, representing her country at the Miss Universe 2023 pageant in El Salvador. This achievement marked a historic milestone as she became the first openly trans woman to compete for the title of Miss Universe Portugal. Her participation in the international pageant was met with both praise and criticism, sparking important conversations about inclusivity and diversity in the beauty industry. At the Miss Universe 2023 pageant, Machete finished as a top 20 semifinalist, a remarkable achievement that cemented her status as a trailblazer in the world of beauty pageants.^[9]

At 28 years old, Machete, a flight attendant, placed ahead of 16 other contestants.^[8] She competed at the Miss Universe 2023 in El Salvador. She has used her platform to advocate for trans rights, emphasizing the need to combat "transphobia and intolerance" around the world.^[14]

On Thursday 2023, Machete was awarded the Miss Portugal title in Borba, in the southeastern Evora region, Portugal.^[15][16]

She, along with Rikkie Kollé of the Netherlands, were the second and third openly trans women to compete at Miss Universe after Ángela Ponce of Spain in 2018. At the Miss Universe 2023, she placed among the Top 20 semifinalists, making history as the first openly trans woman to place at Miss Universe in the pageant's history.^[17]

Machete's most notable accolade is her crowning as Miss Universe Portugal 2023, a testament to her hard work, dedication, and passion for pageantry. She also won the Most Confident Award at the Miss Universe 2023 competition, a recognition of her poise, grace, and self-assurance on the stage.^[18] As the first openly trans woman to compete for the title of Miss Universe Portugal, Machete has broken down barriers and inspired countless individuals from the LGBTQ+ community to pursue their dreams in the beauty industry. Her achievement has been widely recognized and celebrated, and she continues to be a role model for young people around the world who are seeking to express themselves authentically.^[18]

Machete is the devoted advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and inclusivity, using her platform to raise awareness and promote acceptance. She has been open about her gender reassignment surgery and has spoken publicly about the challenges and triumphs she has faced as a trans woman. Her personal story has resonated with many, and she continues to inspire others with her courage, resilience, and determination.^[12]

It is not currently known whom Machete is dating.^[12]

After being crowned Miss Universe Portugal, Machete faced severe criticism and backlashes from some members of the Portuguese media and public. Some critics argued that she did not meet the traditional beauty standards of the pageant, while others questioned her eligibility to compete as a trans woman.^[12] Despite these challenges, Machete remained steadfast in her commitment to inclusivity and diversity, using her platform to promote positive change and challenge outdated beauty standards. Her response to the criticism has been widely praised, and she has emerged as a role model for young people around the world who are seeking to express themselves authentically.^[12]