Minnesota Advocate Casely Vang Prepares for Miss International Queen USA 2026

Casely Vang is a Hmong American transgender woman born in Montana and raised in Winona, Minn. She is the youngest of 10 siblings. Growing up, Vang developed a love for music and theater, discovering early that both were her passions. Those creative outlets helped shape her confidence and sense of identity.

“Going through all my trials, tribulations and adversity of realizing who I am as an individual, I had the courage to come out and transition at the age of 17,” Vang says. “That really gave me a boost of confidence and empowerment.”

Vang said her early years were challenging. Her father was a well-known shaman, and cultural expectations within the community led her to distance herself from family traditions as she navigated her identity.

Vang later became a professional makeup artist and hairstylist, working throughout Minnesota and beyond. In 2020, she created Build Me Beautiful, a platform centered on mental health, self-love and empowerment. Through beauty therapy sessions, she helps clients build confidence and cultivate unconditional self-acceptance.

Over the past several years, Vang has also worked as a motivational and inspirational speaker, focusing on bridging gaps in professional spaces for transgender women. She has spoken at companies including 3M and Ecolab, as well as corporate headquarters across Minnesota and in high schools.

In 2022, Vang competed in her first pageant and earned the title of Miss Posh World 2022. Being the only transgender contestant in the competition, Vang initially questioned whether the space was right for her.

“At first, I wasn’t sure that space was meant for me,” she says. “It took me a while to really find my own voice so that I wasn’t doubting every step I made.”

She said the shared passion and understanding among contestants ultimately helped her build friendships, sisterhood and lasting connections.

Following the experience, she became a pageant trainer, helping young women find their voices and build confidence on stage.

Vang is now preparing for her next chapter and will compete in Miss International Queen USA 2026, a national pageant for transgender women that celebrates beauty, resilience and empowerment. The competition will take place on March 26 and 27 in Atlantic City, N.J.

More than 30 contestants from across the country will compete for the opportunity to represent the U.S. at the international competition in Thailand. This year’s theme is “A Portrait of Possibility.”

“It’s a big self-discovery process,” Vang says. “Sometimes people don’t understand what goes on behind the scenes of pageants. People may only see beauty standards on stage, but you learn so much about yourself and how to use your voice throughout the process.”

Vang credits her older sister as her strongest supporter.

“I’m so fortunate to have such a great support system that believes in my dreams and goals,” she says. “To have someone in my life who wants me to dream big and achieve it has meant everything. She’s been my backbone.”

Vang said both Miss Posh World and Miss International Queen USA have provided supportive platforms, though preparation requires extensive planning, including wardrobe and presentation.

Her current focus is on strengthening her advocacy and platform before stepping onto the national stage.

“When you want to make a change and have that advocacy, it’s important to make sure it’s a strong foundation before you step into a big role like that,” Vang says.

Mental health and self-love remain central to Vang’s advocacy, particularly within the transgender community.

“We go through so many trials and tribulations, and sometimes we don’t know where to go or what resources are available,” she says. “Listening to other stories helps you make sure you’re doing the right thing for yourself.”

Vang also works with Transforming Generations, a nonprofit that provides support services to victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault within Hmong and Southeast Asian communities. Through her work as a makeup artist, hairstylist and photographer, she has helped empower youth involved with the organization.

“This time around, I want to implement everything I truly believe in and the voice I want to create for this pageant,” Vang says. “I’m ready and excited, and I hope to bring the crown back to Minnesota.”