Anthony Henricus Wants to Make Male Pageantry More Human
The Dutch pageant contestant sees vulnerability, authenticity, and human connection as some of the most important qualities a modern male titleholder can bring to the global stage
At 23, Anthony Henricus has already moved through several worlds, from martial arts and culinary work to digital media, youth ministry, and international pageantry. Each experience has taught him how to navigate different environments while staying grounded in who he is.
That experience guides his view on male pageantry. Having competed in Mister International and Mister Supranational, Anthony focuses on authenticity, vulnerability, and genuine human connection that everyone can look upon when he’s on stage.
Beyond the polished pageant image
Anthony’s varied professional experiences have made adaptability one of his strongest qualities. Working across different environments exposed him to different personalities, expectations, and ways of communicating.
“If you grow up in different sectors, you learn how to cope with different people, different rules, and different ethics,” he says. “I think I’m very flexible because of the different kinds of work that I did.”
His ability to read his surroundings has become especially useful in pageantry, where contestants come from different cultures and have different personalities. His upbringing in the Netherlands, with Dutch and Moluccan heritage, also exposed him early to different perspectives.
“I think it was very natural to blend in and get to know every culture,” Anthony recalls. “Suddenly you’re eating sushi at a friend’s house, or you get lumpia at school.”
For him, those experiences established an instinct that now extends beyond culture: understand people first, then find your place among them.
Giving vulnerability a place on the stage
Anthony’s approach to pageantry also comes from his own experiences. He sees the platform as a chance to speak openly about difficult moments, particularly if doing so can make someone else feel less alone.
“Especially after everything I’ve been through, I would love to be able to help even one person feel heard or seen,” he says.
His motivation is connected to his experience as a former youth pastor. Working with young people strengthened his desire to help them grow, find motivation, and navigate life with greater confidence.
“I used to be a youth pastor in church,” Anthony says.
“It’s just really my thing to inspire and motivate people, and I love to see young people evolve and thrive in life.”
He also wants to push back against the emotional distance that can dominate social media and online spaces. For Anthony, showing emotion is not at odds with masculinity or confidence. If anything, allowing people to see that side of themselves can make both qualities more meaningful.
What makes a modern gentleman
Vulnerability has changed how Anthony views the men he encounters through pageantry. Rather than seeing contestants simply as competitors, he has come to appreciate their willingness to share personal stories and show sides of themselves that might otherwise remain hidden.
“I really started to see that there’s a lot of beauty in so many guys from different countries being brave enough to open up.”
“To show their vulnerable side, but also be very confident about it,” he added.
For Anthony, this is where male pageantry can move beyond appearance. A strong titleholder does not have to present himself as untouchable; he can be confident while still acknowledging emotion, uncertainty, or personal struggle.
He sees the competition as an unusual environment precisely because of that openness. Men from different countries are brought together, sharing their stories while learning to support one another.
“Now I can really see 50 guys from 50 countries coming there to tell their story, be vulnerable, and also be nice to other guys,” Anthony says.
A title that reaches beyond the crown
Ultimately, Anthony wants his time in pageantry to mean something beyond how he performs onstage. The title gives him visibility, but he is more interested in what he can do with that visibility once people are paying attention.
His approach to presentation reflects the same philosophy. His style combines the understated influence of Amsterdam with pieces from Indonesian designers, allowing elements of his background to appear naturally without turning them into a costume.
More importantly, Anthony is not interested in manufacturing a personality for the competition. He wants people to see the person who already exists behind the title.
For him, that is where male pageantry can become more meaningful: when contestants are not simply polished representatives of their countries, but men willing to show the experiences and personalities that made them who they are.
“That’s motivation for me to tell my story, to represent my country, and just be proud of what you’ve been through and tell your story to help others.”
And that may be the strongest thing Anthony can bring to the global stage, not another version of what a male titleholder is expected to be, but a more honest one.
Photography Jharwin Castaneda
Art direction Summer Untalan
GroomingGroomingThe care and maintenance of hair, skin, beard, and nails, including cleansing, shaving, styling, and scent. Once niche, men's grooming has grown into a major lifestyle category, and VMAN's VanityGo to Grooming Glossary Krystal Jet Bintocan
Hair Leyeds Caysip
Photography assistants Aljon Celis and Joshua Navato
Frequently asked questions
Anthony Henricus is a 23-year-old Dutch pageant contestant who has competed at Mister International and Mister Supranational.
He wants to see more vulnerability, authenticity, and openness, believing male titleholders can be confident while still showing their emotions.
His experiences include martial arts, culinary work, digital media, youth ministry, and pageantry.
His experience as a youth pastor strengthened his desire to motivate young people and help them grow and thrive.
He believes a modern titleholder should be authentic, adaptable, willing to be vulnerable, and able to connect with people beyond the competition itself.
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