Story By: Lee Bullen, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency:  Newsflash

This 26-year-old model is vying to become the first-ever trans Miss Germany as the national beauty pageant gets underway.

Josimelonie who was born in the German city of Mainz officially changed her name to ‘Josephine’ at the age of 18.

She began hormone therapy treatment around the same time and underwent a boob job at 19.

The Miss Germany hopeful, who calls herself Josi Melonie, underwent gender reassignment surgery at the age of 21.

German viewers were able to follow her transition in the documentary series ‘Transgender – My Path to the Right Body’ on RTL 2 between 2011 and 2013 over two seasons and 14 episodes.

She followed up the series with appearances on reality shows such as ‘First Dates’, ‘Take Me Out’, and ‘Austria’s Next Top Model’.

The organisers of Miss Germany recently revamped the format to showcase other forms of femininity other than the classic ideals of beauty.

As well as Josimelonie, this year’s pageant will include a disabled contestant in a wheelchair as well as a plus-size model.

Josimelonie hopes that her involvement will encourage other trans people to reach for the stars.

She said: “During Miss Germany, I want to show that I belong in such a competition just like all the other women.”

The 16 finalists will be announced in November, and the winner of Miss Germany will be crowned on 27th February.

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