Born in Thailand and raised in Norway, Eirin Grinde Tunheim is a trailblazing transgender beauty queen, multilingual scholar, and determined role model for young LGBTQ+ people everywhere. When she arrived in Norway in 2006 at the age of 13, she brought with her more than just a suitcase, she carried a dream. That dream took her from catwalks in front of her bedroom mirror to the national stage of Miss Universe Norway 2019, where she made history as the first transgender contestant in the pageant’s Norwegian edition. She later represented Norway in the globally celebrated Miss International Queen 2020 in Thailand, placing among the Top 12 finalists.
Eirin holds university degrees in both dentistry and economics, proving she’s as smart as she is stunning. Fluent in five languages, she navigates the world with poise and passion, whether she’s advocating for LGBTQ+ rights, sewing her own dresses, or cheering her way to championship medals. Her story is one of resilience, courage, and the power of authenticity, even in high heels. Today, we travel (virtually) to Tromsø, above the Arctic Circle, to meet this remarkable woman and learn more about her journey, from the Thai countryside to Norway’s icy fjords and international beauty pageants. I’m delighted to share my conversation with the one and only Eirin Grinde Tunheim.
Monika: Hello Eirin! I don’t get to meet a queen every day, so this is truly special. I’m sure my readers will be just as fascinated by your story as I am. How are you doing today?
Eirin: Hello, Monika. Thank you so much for inviting me to this interview. I truly admire the work you do, and I’m always excited to connect and share with my sisters.
Monika: You were born in Thailand, but in 2006 you moved to Norway with your entire family. What were your hopes and expectations when arriving in a country so different from your homeland? What did you imagine life in Norway would be like?
Eirin: Back then, my mom told us that Norway is a country where the weather is very cold with less sunlight. My siblings and I watched the Narnia movie and tried to have that expectation. However, we did expect to live in a country with a good education, health system, and quality of life. I grew up with my grandparents and father, therefore I always wished to live with my mom wherever she lived. It felt like a new chapter in my life was beginning, full of unknowns but also hope.
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"My mom told us that Norway is a country where
the weather is very cold with less sunlight."
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Monika: When you arrived in Norway, you were legally recognized as a 13-year-old boy named Grin Tuai-Tun. Yet your parents already knew you were a transgender girl. How did that dynamic play out during your early experiences in Norway?
Eirin: My mom always knew that I was a transgender girl. It started when I was a kid. I never tried to hide my true identity. People at school and in my community in Thailand knew it. I had more freedom to express myself at school with my friends.
I did join the football cup at age 8–12 (just for fun with classmates) and played with both boys and girls. I did great at school, for example, I was selected as class president. But at the age of 4–5, I hated playing football.
Generally, I hated going to school. My grandma tried her best to change my mindset. When I arrived in Norway in April 2006, my mom told me that she was scared I would get bullied at school and wouldn’t want to go because I wanted to wear makeup and grow my hair long. But I was brave. I told her I would take that risk, and I started wearing makeup from August 2006 onward.
I got bullied every day. I only played and hung around with girls. Boys at my school used to call me “gay.” I didn’t feel any worse.
For me, getting attention was like being a celebrity. I listened to Beyoncé, watched Tyra Banks and Oprah Winfrey, and I got inspired by America’s Next Top Model.
I also competed in the Norwegian Championship and won silver and bronze in cheerleading and cheer dance. Looking back, I think my confidence came not from being fearless, but from knowing exactly who I was even when others didn’t understand.
Monika: Did the bullying ever make you question your identity, or did it only strengthen your sense of self?
Eirin: The bullying did not affect me that much. At 14, I told my mom and stepfather that I wanted to undergo male-to-female surgery. Of course, they were confused and wondered how I had learned about this. I have to thank my Thai-Norwegian teacher who gave me a book about Nok Yollada, a famous trans woman who is now an LGBTQ activist in Thailand. I also read about Poy Trichada on Google, another famous trans woman in Thailand.
So this is how I got inspired to become a woman. I showed their pictures to my mother. But things became more serious once I wrote about my dream of sex reassignment surgery in a Norwegian essay at school, and my teacher sent me to the school nurse. They invited my parents to discuss it and referred me to a local psychologist. Eventually, I ended up at Rikshospitalet in Oslo in the psychiatric department.
Looking back, I realize that those early experiences only deepened my determination to live as my true self.
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"When we are young we can fail
many times, raise up and move again."
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Monika: For many transgender women, Thailand holds a special place in our hearts as a country where we’re often seen and treated as women. Coming from that background, how did your first impressions of Norway compare?
Eirin: In Thailand, society was very open in places like Pattaya, Phuket, Silom, and Bangkok back then. But in a local village, there were still people who disliked the LGBTQ community because they believed that if you were transgender, you were destined to stay alone and die alone. There were also transgender people who got HIV and died. At school, I rarely got bullied. But when it came to human rights, transgender people didn’t have the same rights as cis men and women.
On the other hand, in Norway, we do have human rights, same-sex marriage, and the right to change gender from male to female on official documents. I was bullied more in elementary school, mainly in the 8th and 9th grades. In the 10th grade, the people who used to bully me had already graduated, and I already looked like a girl. People outside school didn’t notice me. In high school, everyone knew my identity, but no one bullied me. I went to a top-ranked school in my province. First, I went to a dance school (almost a school for girls), and later I switched to natural science. Norway gave me space to grow as myself, but it took time before I truly felt safe in that space.
Monika: Was Miss Universe your very first pageant experience? What inspired you to participate in it?
Eirin: Back in 2014 in Thailand, I joined a small pageant competition arranged for transgender women, but I did not qualify for the final round. Miss Universe Norway was my first national competition. During my third year at university, I became depressed because of the dark winter months and the stress of school. No one in my class knew my true identity; only a few close friends did, and they never told anyone. I felt a strong need to express my true self more openly and talk freely about who I am. I decided to join this competition to share my story with my friends, to support LGBTQ people everywhere, and to encourage pride in our identities. I also wanted to use this platform to advocate for human rights in other parts of the world, as far as my message could reach. Participating in the pageant became a powerful way for me to find confidence and inspire others to embrace their authentic selves.
Monika: Preparing for a pageant is no small feat! How did you get ready for Miss Universe? Did you have help with your dresses, makeup, and hair, or did you handle everything on your own?
Eirin: I did everything myself, the dresses, makeup, and hair. I only consulted a little with my sister’s friend, who is my makeup artist and stylist when I’m in Thailand. When I was younger, I always wore heels and dresses and imagined myself as a princess. By the time I was 3 or 4 years old, I was already wearing my mother’s shoes and walking around the house. When I moved to Norway, I practiced walking in high heels every day in front of the mirror, doing my own little catwalk. Don’t forget, I got inspired by Tyra Banks and Naomi Campbell! (laughs) All these early experiences helped me build confidence and develop my own style over time.
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| Her promo photo. Available via YouTube. |
Eirin: I got one sponsor (I sent emails to more than 300 companies). Getting a sponsor was a requirement to reach the semi-final. Finally, “Yo-Thai Restaurant” in Drammen became my sponsor, as they know my family, and my brother usually helps them if something is broken. Their support really motivated me to keep going and believe in myself.
Monika: How did everyone get along during the competition? Did you find yourself bonding with any of the other contestants, and have those connections lasted?
Eirin: I made many friends and I am still friends with many of them. One of them is Nina, a half-Thai girl. It was comforting to share this experience with others who truly understood the challenges we face.
Monika: Finishing as third runner-up is impressive, but did you feel any disappointment at not taking the crown? How did you process the outcome emotionally and mentally?
Eirin: Of course, when we compete, we expect to win. But I move on very fast, maybe because earlier in life I did a lot of competitions as an athlete. We either win or lose. The most important thing is what we learn from that. Why did I lose? What can I improve? I got to know myself more, not just about myself, but also about who truly supports me and who doesn’t. It helped me understand which people I should rely on and which ones I should avoid. This experience made me stronger and more focused on my goals.
Monika: After your experience in Miss Universe Norway, you went on to represent Norway at Miss International Queen in Thailand. How did that experience compare, and what was it like competing on such a big international stage back in your birth country?
Eirin: Yes, I did it in March 2020. I reached the top 12. It was more fun at MIQ2020, as we became very close; I became friends with all of the contestants. It was so different from MUN2019, not sure why, maybe because we felt more comfortable and did not have to wear masks. But I didn’t feel any different. As long as I do my best, I’m happy. When we are young, we can fail many times, rise up, and move forward again. Personally, I grew stronger and can handle challenges better in the future. Competing in Thailand, my birthplace, also gave me a special feeling of coming full circle in my journey.
Monika: The Miss International Queen 2020 finalists, Valentina Fluchaire from Mexico, Ruethaipreeya Nuanglee from Thailand, and Ariella Moura from Brazil, were all stunning and talented. But if you had to pick, was there someone who personally stood out to you as your favorite?
Eirin: All of them were my favorites. Actually, all of the contestants could have won. For me, all the girls were so unique. So many ladies with talent and beauty. The top three girls were the most beautiful based on the beauty standard. On the other hand, the remaining ones had their own beauty too. I was closer to Miss Thailand because we spoke the same language. Today we still keep in contact. We shared so many laughs backstage, and her kindness truly made a lasting impression on me.
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"I want to work more to become
an artist and performer. "
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Monika: Every pageant has its shining moments, from dazzling national costumes to elegant evening gowns, talent showcases, and swimsuits. Which part of the competition made you feel most in your element?
Eirin: I enjoyed the evening gown. I didn’t have that much money to spend on all of the costumes. I brought with me my mom's dress, which she made for herself, but it is similar to a Norwegian costume. It was useful. For me, a swimsuit shouldn’t be a part of the pageant. I personally don’t like to show my skin. I want people to focus more on personality rather than looks, maybe I don’t fit into a beauty competition that much, haha. The evening gown was a performance where we could look like a princess. I got one designer to make a gown for me. I was so thankful. I made many dresses for Miss Universe Thailand and Miss Tiffany contestants as well. It felt empowering to wear something that reflected both my culture and my dreams.
END OF PART 1
All the photos: courtesy of Eirin Grinde Tunheim.
© 2020 - Monika Kowalska
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