Miss Nigeria’s pride after defying trolls to challenge for Miss Universe

Chidimma Adetshina, Miss Nigeria, has expressed immense pride in her achievements after securing second place in the prestigious Miss Universe competition. She also made history by being named Miss Africa and Oceania. In an emotional post-competition interview, she said, “I’m so proud of myself, and I just made history,” after finishing as runner-up to Miss Denmark, Victoria Kjær Theilvig.

Adetshina’s journey to the Miss Universe stage was anything but straightforward. Born and raised in South Africa, she initially competed in the Miss South Africa contest. However, her participation was marred by trolling and xenophobic abuse, largely due to her Nigerian heritage, as her father is Nigerian. Despite the challenges, Adetshina persevered and eventually rose above the adversity.

The controversy surrounding her began when South African authorities claimed that her mother, who has Mozambican roots, was involved in an identity fraud case to obtain South African nationality. South African officials indicated that they would revoke Adetshina’s identity papers in connection to the allegations. However, both Adetshina and her mother have yet to respond to these claims. Authorities clarified that, as Adetshina was a child at the time, she could not have participated in the alleged fraudulent activities.

Amid the backlash in South Africa and the questions surrounding her nationality, Adetshina made the bold decision to compete in the Miss Nigeria pageant. Winning the Miss Nigeria title not only solidified her standing but also gave her the opportunity to represent Nigeria at Miss Universe in Mexico City.

The competition took another unexpected turn when Mia le Roux, Miss South Africa, who was originally set to compete at Miss Universe, withdrew from the contest last month, citing a medical condition. Le Roux, who made history as the first deaf woman to be crowned Miss South Africa, was replaced by Adetshina in the international pageant.

Despite the turmoil, Adetshina has remained steadfast in her identity. In a BBC interview earlier in the year, she explained that she still sees herself as both “proudly South African” and “proudly Nigerian.” However, the complex relationship between her two national identities became more evident after Miss Universe South Africa tweeted a congratulatory message following Adetshina’s runner-up finish. The tweet included both the South African and Nigerian flags, but some South African social media users voiced their displeasure, claiming Adetshina did not represent them.

The trolls and harsh comments that followed Adetshina’s success left a deep emotional toll. She shared with the BBC that she planned to seek therapy to address the trauma resulting from the xenophobic abuse and personal attacks she faced. The emotional strain of the online vitriol had been overwhelming, but she has remained focused on her goals and her pride in her accomplishments.

Adetshina’s second-place finish in Miss Universe marks a significant milestone, as she is now the highest-placed Black African woman in the competition since South Africa’s Zozibini Tunzi won the crown in 2019. Adetshina’s achievement is seen as a major breakthrough for Black African women in the global beauty pageant scene, reinforcing the importance of representation and resilience.

Throughout her journey, Adetshina has faced an uphill battle, both personally and professionally. Yet, her strength in the face of adversity has earned her admiration from fans and supporters around the world. As she reflects on her historic achievement, Adetshina has proven that no matter the obstacles, her pride in her heritage and her unwavering commitment to her goals will always guide her toward success.

Looking ahead, Adetshina plans to continue using her platform to advocate for causes that matter to her, including promoting mental health awareness and fighting against xenophobia and discrimination. She has shown that beauty is not just about appearance but also about resilience, courage, and standing firm in one’s truth.