How a Shy Teen Became Sikkim’s First Trans Beauty Queen & Made History With Her Crown

“I want people to remember me as a history-maker. I want to be someone who paved the way, who stood tall so others could feel safe in their truth…….”

When Jackielynn Pradhan stepped into the spotlight as the first transgender woman to win Miss Universe Sikkim, she didn’t just wear a crown — she carried the onus of visibility, pride, and responsibility on her shoulders. At that moment, she wasn’t just claiming a title, she was rewriting a narrative for Sikkim, for Northeast India, and for the countless LGBTQI+ youth who have long waited to see someone like them being celebrated and acknowledged

But 21-year-old Jackielynn’s story isn’t just about a pageant victory. It is a tender, powerful journey of becoming — from a quiet, self-doubting teenager to a confident young trans woman determined to carve a safe space for others. Her story is about courage, transformation, and the undeniable power of simply being seen.

“When I started transitioning, that was when I truly felt seen. I could go out publicly while being who I was! Before that, I was quiet and unsure, with low self-esteem. But once I embraced myself, I found strength.”

Growing up different in a land of tradition

Jackielynn was raised in the scenic hills of Jorethang, Sikkim, known for its postcard-perfect views and deep-rooted traditions. But behind that beauty is a society still learning to accept gender diversity. For young Jackielynn, that meant learning to understand and express her identity with quiet courage and care.

“I didn’t come out publicly for a long time. Only my parents and close relatives knew. I wanted to stay low-key because I was scared of the backlash,” she says. Luckily, I passed in public and didn’t face direct transphobia. But once I entered pageantry and opened up, cyberbullying, along with derogatory comments about gender and my appearance, became a reality. Still, I felt it was time to speak up for those who couldn’t.”

Jackielynn was aware of herself quite early, while she was growing up. She was drawn to makeup, colourful clothes, and Barbie dolls from a young age. “Even as a child, we acknowledged Jackie’s liking and gave her a space to grow. Her mother, Pricella Gurung, shares. We just wanted her to be happy.”

Her father, L.M. Pradhan, echoes the sentiment. “It wasn’t a shock when she told us she wanted to transition. We knew it in our hearts. Our only worry was her safety and health. We told her, ‘Be who you are but be strong.’”

This unconditional support made all the difference. Jackielynn came out to her parents at 15, and with their encouragement, began hormone therapy just a year later. “The hardest part was my medical transitioning. The physical pain and the emotional toll were intense. But it was worth it. I’m proud of myself. I know I’m lucky to have transitioned young, with love on my side.”

Chasing dreams and claiming them

While Jackielynn’s transformation was deeply personal, her aspirations were anything but private. Inspired by her cousin Sneha Subba, who won Miss Sikkim in 2013, and enthralled by international pageants like Miss Universe and Miss Grand International, Jackie quietly dreamt of being on stage. But that dream often felt out of reach.

“Pageantry always fascinated me,” she admits. “But as a trans woman, I hesitated. I wasn’t sure if there would be space for someone like me.”

It was her cousin Sneha, along with her parents, who finally nudged her forward. “They told me, ‘Jackie, it’s time.’ And they were right. It wasn’t yesterday, it wasn’t tomorrow — it was today. That’s when I decided to go for it.” Jackielynn auditioned for Miss Sikkim with a pounding heart and trembling hands, but with her head held high.

However, much to her amazement, Jackielynn found something unexpected: acceptance when she auditioned for Miss Sikkim. The platform celebrated diversity, and her courage stood out.

“There were girls from diverse backgrounds. It wasn’t about height or looks — it was about presence. I’m so grateful to the pageant for being so open. They didn’t care about my gender history. They cared about my story and voice, " the newly crowned Miss Universe Sikkim says.

Her win turned her into a sensation—not just in Sikkim but across the country. Jackielynn’s story resonated with the LGBTQI+ youth longing for representation. But with that attention also came challenges.

One of her biggest cheerleaders through this journey was her mentor and sister, Sneha, a former Miss Sikkim herself. “As her mentor and sister, I always knew she was going to make it big one day,” Sneha says. “Miss Sikkim is such a prestigious title, and this is just a stepping stone toward the incredible things she’s destined for. She will represent our state and our people and maybe even make it big in the fashion industry. For me, she’s the next Anjali Lama, Nepal’s first transgender model, in the making. Watch out!” 

That belief, shared by those closest to her, became a shield Jackielynn carried into the spotlight. When she won the Miss Universe Sikkim title, the impact rippled beyond the pageant. Her name sparked joy and celebration across WhatsApp groups, Instagram stories, and the LGBTQI+ community.

But alongside the applause came scrutiny and a fresh wave of cyberbullying. “People still hold harmful stereotypes about trans women. That we’re vulgar, or ‘asking for it,’ or not to be trusted,” she explains. “We are graceful, powerful, and dignified. You cannot judge an entire community based on a few individuals. We are just as human as anyone else.”

Pride, purpose, and pushing it forward

Today, Jackielynn Pradhan is more than a beauty queen — she is an emerging changemaker. With the title came a sense of duty, and she’s taken that seriously. As Pride Month arrives, Jackielynn reflects on the work that still lies ahead, especially in Sikkim.

“In Sikkim, Pride Month isn’t widely known. There’s still a lack of awareness. People leave hateful comments online. But Pride is important — it honours the trailblazers who made our lives easier, like Gauri Sawant. Without her, we wouldn’t have the rights we have today.” Director of Sakhi Char Chowghi which helps transgender people, Gauri Sawant has been a shining beacon for the LGBTQI+ community in Maharashtra and Jackielynn’s role model as well.

Jackielynn has teamed up with advocacy groups like the Rainbow Hill Association, Sikkim, to start building change from the ground up. She focuses on creating awareness in schools and colleges, where young people often struggle silently with questions about gender and identity. Speaking about her struggles since childhood, she says, “Young people need to see someone like them in public life. If I had seen a trans woman from Sikkim on stage when I was 10, I wouldn’t have felt so alone.”

She’s also pushing for another cause close to her heart — mental health. Having struggled with depression during her teenage years, Jackielynn understands the crushing silence many young individuals from the LGBTQI+ community are forced to carry. And as a message to all those who face bullies in school, college or simply after stepping out of their homes, Jackielynn has a powerful message that is bound to resonate with many — “I know what it feels like to be silenced, not to have words for what you’re feeling. I want to tell young people: Speak out. Talk to your family. You’re not alone. Don’t carry the weight in silence.”

Redefining womanhood, one step at a time

As a transgender woman, Jackielynn has learned that acceptance often comes with caveats. Society, she says, has a rigid idea of womanhood — one that many trans and cisgender women are constantly trying to escape.

“Society wants trans women to look a certain way — wear heels, put on makeup. If you don’t fit into that mould, your womanhood is questioned. But I’ve stopped caring how they see me. I know who I am.”

She is quick to point out that cisgender women are policed the same way. “If a woman doesn’t wear makeup or chooses comfort over beauty, people judge her. Or if a boy cries or dances, he gets mocked. Transphobia and sexism — they come from the same place. We have to break these moulds.” A message etched with love and fire.

Watching her grow into the woman she was always meant to be, her parents glowed with quiet pride. “Jackie’s story may have started in our home in Jorethang,” her father says, “but her message of positivity is for the world.”

“We never raised her to be anyone else,” adds her mother. “We raised her to be herself. And that’s made all the difference.”

Jackielynn Pradhan is still just getting started. Her impact continues to grow, whether on the ramp, at a school seminar, or behind the scenes organising mental health sessions. Her journey, marked by courage and love, is a blueprint for change in a world slowly catching up to the truth of transgender lives.

When asked how she wants to be remembered, her answer is quiet but firm. “I want young trans women to look at me and say, ‘If Jackie could do it, so can I.’ That’s all I need.”

Edited by Saumya Singh; All pictures courtesy Jackielynn Pradhan