When she’s not preparing for pageants, Midori Monét is either performing or building her community. We sat down with her as she graciously answered our questions and gave us a closer look at what it’s like to be Miss International Queen USA.
“There are two places you’ll always find me,” she says. “The first is on stage, as I am a full-time performer and entertainer in Seattle where I have been blessed to build a career for over seven years. The second is with my ballroom family, the Kiki House of Jeremy Scott, where I dedicate my time to creating a home for those who need it most.”
As Mother of the House, Midori takes on a role that many in her community have never had. “I was not raised in a family that supported me for being myself. Many in my community share that same reality, which is why I stepped up to create a space where people can belong, feel loved, and know that they matter,” she explains.
Becoming Her Own Inspiration
Midori grew up without a role model. “I realized early on that I would have to become the change I wanted to see in the world,” she says. “So, I became exactly that for myself: a woman who leads with her heart, her grace, and her morals.”
Pageantry tested her self-belief. “Funny enough, I was confident and secure throughout Miss Washington USA until the final night. That is when I got in my head and convinced myself I did not belong on that stage,” she recalls. That experience, though tough, became a turning point. “It pushed me to fully embrace myself, quirks and all, when competing in Miss International Queen. That shift in mindset is what led me to my crown.”
Now, as she prepares to represent the United States in Thailand for the Miss International Queen 2025 title, she’s excited to challenge narrow ideas of beauty. “The theme this year in Thailand is ‘Beyond Beauty,’ and for me, beauty means nothing without the challenges I have overcome to become the woman I am today. My strength comes from leading with an open heart and an open mind.”
Redefining Beauty and Legacy
Fashion is another way Midori tells her story. She describes her style as a celebration of Black excellence, inspired by icons such as Erykah Badu, Janelle Monáe, Jazell Barbie Royale, Tommie Ross, and RuPaul. “I’m a maximalist who is never afraid to express myself,” she says. Beyond wearing bold looks, she designs her own. “Wearing something I have made fills me with a unique sense of pride. It feels like putting on armor before going into battle.”
Her visibility matters most when she sees how it impacts others. “A fan once told me that as a cisgender Black woman, my voice speaks not only for the trans community but also for Black people and all minorities,” Midori says. “She reminded me that when I stand fully in my authenticity, I give others permission to do the same.”
If she could go back to her seventh-grade self, she’d offer one reminder: “No matter what your parents think of you, no matter what your friends or family say, you must be okay with loving yourself. Nothing else matters more.”
Looking ahead, Midori is clear about the legacy she hopes to leave. “I want to create a legacy of change that inspires trans women to love themselves more deeply,” she says. “Building a stronger world starts with self-acceptance, and my legacy would be to encourage that transformation everywhere I go.”
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