The Girlfriends: Spotlight, S3E11

Episode Title: Miss saHHara Crowns Queens
Host: Anna Sinfield
Guest: Miss saHHara
Released: October 27, 2025

Overview

This emotionally rich episode of The Girlfriends: Spotlight tells the remarkable life story of Miss saHHara, a Nigerian-born trans woman, activist, and international beauty queen who revolutionized trans pageantry. Guided by journalist Anna Sinfield, the conversation follows Miss saHHara’s incredible journey—from her challenging upbringing in deeply conservative Nigeria, through survival, migration, and self-discovery, to her crowning moment and the founding of Ms. Trans Global, a pageant redefining what beauty and advocacy look like for trans women worldwide.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Dream: Early Life and Aspirations

• Childhood & Gender Nonconformity (08:31–10:51)

  • Growing up in Benue, Nigeria, Miss saHHara dreamed of beauty pageants after watching Miss World on TV, even pretending to compete in childhood games.
  • Quotes her longing:

    “I used to wish that I would be on it. I said, I want to be on that stage.” (09:11, Ms. Sahara)

  • Encouraged to express femininity until adolescence, when societal pressures and gender norms intensified.

    “It was when people were beginning to ask questions: why are you not outgrowing? … There was something growing down there that I wasn’t comfortable with, and I was like, this is not me.” (10:34, Ms. Sahara)

• Family & School Pressures (10:51–12:17)

  • Faced bullying at school and isolation at home, unable to confide in her single mother.
  • Her mother, stretched by raising two daughters, did not understand trans identity.

2. Persecution, Survival, and Escape

• University Life & Confrontation (12:17–15:12)

  • At university, Miss saHHara experimented with gender expression but faced stigma and suspicion—even church intervention due to her mother’s concern.

• Arrest and Trauma (14:24–16:55)

  • Wrongfully detained for a theft due to her femininity, she was beaten and stripped in prison.
  • This trauma was a breaking point:

    “When I was younger, I tried to commit suicide twice because I felt … that no one understood me. … I remember very well that if I don’t leave, I’m going to be successful in ending my life.” (16:55, Ms. Sahara)

  • With her mother’s support, she left Nigeria—her mother selling belongings to fund the journey.

3. Finding Identity & Community in London

• Arrival & Culture Shock (22:10–23:27)

  • Landing with little support, Miss saHHara found encouragement at London Pride, experiencing queer community for the first time.
  • “There is no effing way I’m going back to Nigeria. There’s no way I’m going back.” (23:27, Ms. Sahara)
  • In London, saw and understood what it meant to be trans.

• Navigating Work & Transition (23:49–26:02)

  • Worked menial jobs by day, became a glamorous hostess by night at the iconic Heaven nightclub, connecting with other trans women.
  • Faced health risks and discrimination in medical services during her transition.

• Modeling & Undocumented Struggles (25:22–28:14)

  • Scouted as a model but barred from international work due to her immigration status.
  • With help from the Refugee Legal Centre, eventually gained asylum and a female UK passport, setting a precedent for trans asylum seekers.

4. Breaking into and Challenging Pageantry

• The Big Stage and Setbacks (28:14–31:08)

  • Having aged out of many cisgender pageants, Miss saHHara entered Miss International Queen in Thailand, the world’s biggest trans beauty pageant.
  • Media appearance brought both opportunity and backlash; “They called it The Ladyboys. I was pissed off … I'm not a ladyboy. I'm a woman.” (30:14–30:45, Ms. Sahara)
  • Became the first Nigerian transwoman to come out in international media.

• Family Reactions and Societal Critique (31:08–33:48)

  • Mother and Nigerian community were troubled by her transition, referencing negative representation like “Jerry Springer.”
  • On privilege and gender:

    “Nobody would choose to be harassed and beaten up, constantly called names and treated really badly. There is no privilege in a trans person or a feminine boy in Nigeria.” (32:05, Ms. Sahara)

  • “There is no single path into womanhood. Everybody’s journey is different. If you are being exclusive in your womanhood, then you’re not a true feminist.” (33:44, Ms. Sahara)

5. Triumph: Winning and Redefining the Pageant World

• Winning Miss Super Serena Worldwide (39:22–42:49)

  • After setbacks in other pageants, Miss saHHara finally wins the Filipino contest Super Serena Worldwide.
  • “When they called my name, I was shocked. I was crying.” (42:26, Ms. Sahara)
  • Received $10,000, a sash, scepter, and “a big glittery crown.” Childhood dream realized.

• Founding Ms. Trans Global: A New Model (43:13–49:35)

  • Inspired by her journey, Miss saHHara gathered activist friends during the pandemic to create Ms. Trans Global—a digital, then physical, advocacy-powered pageant for trans women.
  • “If they won’t allow us at the table, we’ll make our own chair and create our own table and our own space.” (43:38, Ms. Sahara)
  • Focus shifted from looks to creativity, social impact, and activism.
  • The competition: video submissions, manifesto speeches, and community action.
  • Ms. Trans Global grew rapidly, with over a million page visitors worldwide, giving isolated and marginalized trans women a global platform.
  • The impact:

    “It’s changing their lives. It’s giving them a purpose, and it’s giving them a chance to go out there and be an example for our community.” (46:37, Ms. Sahara)

• Inclusivity & Purpose

  • All trans and non-binary people are welcome, regardless of transition stage.
  • Entrants come with stories of trauma and survival, but the pageant is a safe, empowering haven.
  • “The pageantry is the magnet that brings us together.” (49:35, Ms. Sahara)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On purpose:

  “We all come into this world to contribute in one way or the other, and that makes us beautiful. All trans women are beautiful.” (06:01, Ms. Sahara)

• On self-acceptance:

  “I didn't choose to wake up in the morning and look at myself in the mirror and be happy with who I am now.” (32:38, Ms. Sahara)

• On joy after adversity:

  “I looked very weird, but I went in there wanting to have fun. So when I won it, I just couldn’t believe it.” (42:36, Ms. Sahara)

• On pageantry as activism:

  “We don’t class ourselves as a beauty pageant. We call ourselves as an advocacy pageant.” (44:40, Ms. Sahara)

• On sisterhood and confidence:

  “It doesn’t give them a financial boost, it gives them confidence. We build a lot of confidence.” (49:14, Ms. Sahara)

Important Timestamps

• Childhood & Miss World dreams: 08:31–10:51
• Bullying & family isolation: 10:51–12:17
• Wrongful police arrest: 14:24–16:55
• Suicidality & emigration: 16:55–18:14
• London queer community: 22:10–23:27
• Medical & modeling struggles: 23:49–26:02
• Legal battle for asylum: 26:45–28:14
• Miss International Queen pageant: 28:41–31:08
• "No single path into womanhood": 33:44
• Super Serena win: 39:22–42:49
• Founding Ms. Trans Global: 43:13–44:40
• Digital pageantry during pandemic: 44:40–46:37
• First Ms. Trans Global winner: 46:43–47:43
• On sisterhood & trauma: 48:03–49:26

Episode Tone & Final Thoughts

The conversation between Anna Sinfield and Miss saHHara is candid, heartfelt, and at times, raw. It juxtaposes glitz, glamour, and hard-won self-love with the gritty realities of transphobia, displacement, and resilience. Miss saHHara’s humor and wisdom radiate, especially in moments where she discusses reclaiming spaces and redefining beauty on her own terms.

Ultimately, the episode is a powerful testament to transformation: of pain into activism, and of exclusion into a vibrant, global sisterhood.

If you are affected by themes of domestic violence or transphobia, reach out to NO MORE, or for women's rights support visit Womankind Worldwide.

Produced by Novel for iHeartPodcasts. Hosted by Anna Sinfield.