Monika: Most people don’t realize just how difficult it is to compete in a beauty pageant. They assume it’s just about showing a pretty face, a great body, and answering a few light questions. But being on stage is a real challenge, especially for us, transgender women, as we tend to be ultrasensitive about our imperfections. How did you overcome this mental challenge?
Martina: You’re absolutely right. I’ve done many things in my life, and competing in a beauty pageant was one of the most challenging experiences. But over time, you learn to adapt. I always say that when I enter a competition, I switch to “warrior” mode. This doesn’t mean I’m rude or anything; it just helps me push through the lack of sleep, discomfort, pain, and stress.
You have to keep smiling and be nice, no matter what. On stage, my focus is on competing. Nobody asks if I’m stressed or if I’m physically okay. On the gala night, I didn’t feel my toes, my back was in extreme pain, and even though I wasn’t on any diet, I lost 2 kg, and my ear piercings were bleeding. Honestly, when I got home, I spent a whole week in bed! But while I’m up there, I have to perform my best, and the adrenaline takes care of the rest.
The only thing that really stressed me out was the fear of not being good enough in my performance. Like all the girls, I often thought, “This girl is so gorgeous, so pretty, more feminine, and much younger. Can I even compete with her?” That’s the hardest part: believing that I’m good enough to stand alongside these incredible women. I am still fighting with that, even now.
Monika: Participating in Miss Trans Star International must have been a valuable experience. What’s the most important lesson or takeaway from that pageant that you believe will help you succeed in future competitions?
Martina: The most important lesson I took away from participating in Miss Trans Star International and also from MJ Top Model is to never be ashamed of being transgender.
Embrace who you are and be proud of yourself. This experience taught me that authenticity shines brighter than any title or trophy. When you believe in yourself and celebrate your identity, it empowers you to succeed, not just in competitions but in life as a whole.
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| "I think the biggest judge of myself is me." |
Monika: You mentioned that you're heading to Miss International Queen, which I absolutely love! Do you think it will be different compared to your previous competitions?
Martina: I certainly hope so! This time, I have eight months to prepare, so I’ve already started working on my wardrobe. I’m practicing my catwalk and dancing, and I can feel my movements improving week by week. I’m also learning piano, which will be my talent for the competition!
During the last phase of Miss Star, my girlfriend was a huge support; I honestly couldn’t have done it without her. For Miss International Queen, she has been my manager from the very beginning, helping me with everything and coordinating with people who can assist me when the time comes. But most of the work falls on me, and that’s why I believe thorough preparation is key. I’m committed to practicing almost every day!
Monika: Speaking of Thailand, I've been there a few times, and I have to admit, I’m pretty envious of how empowered transgender women are there. If we could get even half of that in our countries, life would be so much better! Do you feel the same way?
Martina: I don’t personally know any Thai transgender women, but from what I’ve seen, they’re truly amazing, at least the ones at Miss Star were! The Latina transgender women were incredible, too. I think the issue in many European countries is that we often perceive being transgender as something wrong, which leads to insecurity. But that mindset isn’t okay.
Being transgender isn’t wrong; it’s a fundamental part of who we are. All the struggles, pain, losses, and loneliness we’ve experienced have shaped us into strong individuals. We should never be ashamed of who we are; on the contrary, we should be proud of ourselves. Every transgender person is unique and remarkable, and we should all take pride in our identities, especially in a society where so many people wish to be someone else.
Monika: We all know that being our true selves often comes with some serious sacrifices, like losing friends, family, jobs, and all that fun stuff. I’ll admit, I’m no stranger to that. Did you have to pay a hefty price for being you? What would you say was the toughest part of your coming-out journey?
Martina: Yes, I definitely had to pay a hefty price for being true to myself. When I began my transition, I lost the love of my life, the girl I cared about most in the world. She was my source of strength during my transition, and I always knew that if I lost her, I couldn’t give up. Even though it was incredibly hard from the beginning, I kept pushing forward. Her loss was profound and changed me for a lifetime.
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| "Embrace who you are and be proud of yourself." |
Another significant struggle was a botched surgery at 2Pass Clinic. Dr. Bart accidentally cut a part of my nerve in my chin, and since then, I’ve been dealing with constant pain in my mouth, 24/7. It took me years to come to terms with that.
However, I can honestly say that participating in beauty pageants has helped me immensely. My experiences, both the good and the challenging, have inspired me to share my story. I believe it’s important to connect with others and show them that, even through adversity, there is hope and strength.
Monika: Do you remember the first time you saw a trans woman on TV or met one in person and thought, "Wait a minute, that’s me!"? When did it hit you that you could truly embrace your authentic self?
Martina: To be honest, I don’t really remember. It feels like many of my old memories have faded away, maybe as a form of protection. There’s a sense of loss in that, but perhaps it’s also part of my journey. What I do know is that the realization of my authentic self came gradually. It was a process filled with ups and downs, and while I can’t pinpoint an exact moment, I can say that embracing my true self has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.
Monika: "Passing" is something many of us feel pressured about. How do you deal with the constant scrutiny of society, always judging our looks and expecting perfection? Is it something that gets to you, or have you learned to brush it off?
Martina: I think the biggest judge of myself is me. I constantly find myself competing with an ideal that I can never seem to reach, and I often don’t see myself as pretty enough. This self-criticism is one of my biggest challenges in modeling and pageants. Recently, a photographer shared an important insight with me: "Great models love themselves. They radiate that self-love, and it's that energy that resonates with people. That’s the secret, you need to love yourself." It's a powerful reminder that embracing my own beauty is essential, even when the pressure to "pass" can feel overwhelming. I’m learning to brush off external judgments and focus more on nurturing my self-love.
Monika: Let’s talk about the state of things for transgender women in your country. Do you think we’re making progress, or are we still stuck in the past? What’s your take on the current situation?
Martina: It’s hard to say definitively. Today, it’s becoming more common for young transgender individuals to start their transition early, which is amazing because they often don't require many surgeries and can live more naturally. However, for those of us who transition later in life, the experience can be quite different. On the other hand, since Trump was elected and the debates around transgender individuals in sports became prominent, I've noticed an increase in hate and discrimination. That said, I do believe the overall situation is improving. I’m hopeful that we may soon reach a point where surgical intervention won’t be a requirement for changing our gender marker on IDs.
Monika: If you could tell your younger self one thing about being a transgender woman, what would it be?
Martina: Be patient, trust the process, and love yourself.
Monika: Well, there you have it! A beauty queen, a trailblazer, and a woman who knows how to juggle pageants and banking, what a combo! Thank you so much, Martina, for taking the time to chat with me today. You’re a true inspiration. And to all the readers, if Martina can take over the pageant world and still manage to rock a banking career, I’m pretty sure we can all conquer whatever challenges come our way. Thanks for tuning in and stay fabulous, everyone!
END OF PART 2
All photos: courtesy of Martina Sobková.
© 2025 - Monika Kowalska
If you’re looking for an aspiring model with beauty, resilience, and passion,
Martina is your girl!
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Martina is your girl!
Instagram: Martina Sobková
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