Midori Monét’s Transcendent Journey as a Trans Beauty Queen
Midori Monét first turned heads as Tiana “Midori” Monet in Seattle’s inclusive ballroom circuit, where artistry meets community and every performance is a celebration. In 2023, she auditioned for Miss Washington USA and made it to the Top 6. Even though she didn’t take home the crown, competing alongside cis women gave her clarity—she belonged.
At Miss International Queen USA 2025, held during Las Vegas Pride, Midori delivered a standout run. Now that everything’s set, she’s off to compete in Thailand to bring honor not only to herself, but also to her country and transgender women around the world.
On this page
The Road to the Crown
Midori Monét’s rise through the pageant scene didn’t come overnight. It was shaped by years of performance, trial, and growth that started in Seattle’s ballroom culture. That world gave her more than just a platform—it taught her how to move with confidence, express her story through movement, and show up for her community.
From lip-sync battles to runway walk-offs, her early days in ballroom helped her master the kind of presence that would later set her apart on the pageant stage.
From Ballroom to Vegas
Ballroom gave Midori her first taste of audience connection. It was local, expressive, and collaborative. She learned to sew, choreograph, and perform all while mentoring younger members of the community.
These skills made her a force not just in ballroom but in bigger venues. By the time she stepped onto the Las Vegas stage for Miss International Queen USA, she had years of experience performing in front of crowds who understood the value of precision, storytelling, and joy.
Miss Washington USA
Before going national, she competed in Miss Washington USA, a mainstream pageant where she placed in the Top 6. The experience was eye-opening.
It exposed her to a very different kind of competition, with rigid expectations and unspoken social pressures. While the outcome wasn’t a crown, it gave her clarity. She learned how to carry herself in unfamiliar rooms and understood what it meant to stand firm in her own identity.
Feeling Out of Place, Growing Stronger
That early pageant experience was difficult. Being one of the only trans women in the lineup of a mainstream pageant meant she had to deal with awkward stares, whispered judgments, and a lingering sense that she didn’t quite fit the mold.
But instead of letting that discourage her, she used it as fuel. She trained harder, refined her stage walk, and connected more deeply with why she wanted to be there in the first place. She left the experience more grounded in her worth.
The Pageant That Crowned Her
At Miss International Queen USA 2025, Midori brought it all together. Her evening gown had old-Hollywood elegance with a shape that celebrated her figure and movement.
For the talent segment, she tapped into her ballroom background with a performance that blended dramatic flair and cultural references. Her national costume, thoughtfully designed and rooted in heritage, earned her high praise.
By the end of the night, she had secured wins in:
- Best Gown
- Best Talent
- and Best National Costume
making her the obvious choice for the crown.
Representing the USA on the Global Stage
Midori Monét’s crown gives her a new kind of stage—Miss International Queen in Thailand, where she’ll represent the U.S. among trans women from all over the world.
Miss International Queen is one of the most visible platforms for trans women globally. Originating in Thailand, the pageant has become a symbol of elegance, acceptance, and trans joy.
For contestants like her, it’s more than a title—it’s a chance to wear their story with pride and represent their communities on a global scale.
The other Shades of Midori
Midori means green in Japanese. And just like the color, Midori Monét has multiple hues that are omnipresent in the roles she embodies in life:
- Black trans woman
- Ballroom house mother
- Creative
- and a Grassroots Organizer
These identities don’t exist in silos. Instead, they come together in ways that inform how she performs and shows up for her community.
Black and Trans in America
Navigating the world as a Black trans woman comes with a distinct set of challenges. Her experience in Seattle and beyond reflects the reality of often being marginalized within both racial and LGBTQIA+ spaces.
These experiences, though painful, have helped her connect deeply with others who live at the same intersections. Her work, art, and presence challenge limited narratives about who gets to be celebrated.
A Ballroom House Mother and Leader
As a house mother in the ballroom scene, she nurtures others through fashion, movement, and mentorship. She provides not only support, but structure—offering guidance to younger members while reinforcing self-worth through performance and community-building.
Her Mission: Visibility and Healing
Midori Monét’s journey through pageantry and performance has always had a deeper purpose. Beyond the crowns and sashes, she’s focused on healing for herself and for others like her. One of her biggest goals is to make space for open and honest conversations about mental health, particularly within the Black trans community.
She believes that visibility isn’t only about being seen, but about feeling safe enough to be fully human—complete with struggles, joy, and growth.
Speaking Out on Mental Health
Midori has spoken candidly about how difficult it can be to navigate depression, rejection, and imposter syndrome. She’s been vocal about:
- Therapy
- Self-care
- and Community Support
not as buzzwords, but as real tools that have helped her survive.
How Representation Helps Heal
Seeing other Black trans women thriving helped her feel like healing was possible. Whether through mentors or media, those glimpses gave her hope. Now, she pays that forward through her own visibility.
A Message for Young Black Trans Girls
Midori wants young Black trans girls to look at her and feel a little more possible. That their lives can be beautiful and their existence celebrated, even in spaces that once felt out of reach.
If Midori’s presence moved you or made you feel seen, don’t let that feeling stop here. Share her story. Talk about her mission. Support the communities she represents.
Whether you’re part of the ballroom world, the trans community, or simply someone learning to embrace difference, her journey is one worth passing on.
Because every time her name is spoken, another door opens. And somewhere out there, a young Black trans girl is watching and wondering if she’ll ever be enough.
Follow Midori Monét
Stay connected with Midori Monét and support her journey by following her on social media and professional platforms:
- Facebook: @tinashea.monet.16
- Instagram: @midorimonet
- Threads: @midorimonet
- X: @midorimonet
- TikTok: @midorimonet
