Chidimma Adetshina: Miss Nigeria’s Historic Achievement in Miss Universe
Miss Nigeria, Chidimma Adetshina, achieved second place in the Miss Universe competition, also earning the titles of Miss Africa and Oceania. She faced significant adversity, including trolling and xenophobia linked to her heritage, before ultimately representing Nigeria after winning the Miss Nigeria contest. Adetshina’s performance has been historic, marking her as the highest-placed black African in the competition since 2019. She expressed pride in her accomplishments, despite the personal challenges she encountered.
Chidimma Adetshina, representing Nigeria, expressed deep pride in achieving second place in the Miss Universe competition and being crowned Miss Africa and Oceania. In her own words, she stated, “I’m so proud of myself and I just made history,” after the competition concluded in Mexico City, where she lost to Denmark’s Victoria Kjær Theilvig. Initially, Adetshina entered the Miss South Africa pageant but faced significant trolling and xenophobia due to her Nigerian heritage. Despite the adversity, she continues to identify as both “proudly South African” and “proudly Nigerian.” Following the controversy regarding her nationality, she won the Miss Nigeria competition, which qualified her for the global pageant, making her the highest-placed black African woman in Miss Universe since 2019.
Chidimma Adetshina’s journey to the Miss Universe stage began in South Africa, where she was born and raised. However, she faced severe backlash due to her father’s Nigerian ancestry, leading to allegations of identity fraud linked to her mother’s background. This controversy sparked a public debate about her identity, ultimately influencing her decision to compete for Nigeria instead. Her performance not only highlighted her resilience but also shed light on the complexities surrounding identity and representation in beauty pageants.
Chidimma Adetshina’s accomplishments in the Miss Universe competition reflect her resilience in overcoming personal and societal challenges. Her status as the highest-placed black African woman in the tournament underscores the significance of her victory, both personally and for representation on an international stage. The experience has led her to seek therapy, emphasizing the emotional toll of the public scrutiny she faced.
Original Source: www.bbc.co.uk
