Chidimma Adetshina: Celebrating Her Historic Second Place Finish in Miss Universe

Chidimma Adetshina, Miss Nigeria, achieved second place at Miss Universe, receiving accolades for her dual heritage amid personal struggles with identity and online harassment. Previously competing in Miss South Africa, she faced challenges from xenophobic trolling, which influenced her decision to represent Nigeria after winning the Miss Nigeria title. Her achievement marks a significant moment for black African representation in beauty pageants.

Chidimma Adetshina, representing Nigeria, expressed her immense pride after finishing as the runner-up in the recent Miss Universe competition. She was also honored with the titles of Miss Africa and Oceania. Despite losing to Victoria Kjær Theilvig of Denmark, Adetshina proudly declared, “I’m so proud of myself and I just made history.” Her journey to this achievement was compounded by challenges related to her identity, having faced xenophobic remarks after previously competing in the Miss South Africa pageant, which led to her decision to represent Nigeria instead. The controversy surrounding Adetshina’s identity stemmed from accusations against her mother regarding nationality fraud, prompting South African authorities to threaten the withdrawal of her citizenship. Though these allegations were made against her mother, Adetshina herself had not responded to them, acknowledging that she could not be implicated as she was a minor during the purported events. Her participation in the Miss Nigeria contest, which she won, subsequently qualified her for Miss Universe held in Mexico City. Prior to the competition, the Miss South Africa titleholder, Mia le Roux, withdrew due to a medical condition. Adetshina’s accomplishment made her the highest-ranked black African woman in Miss Universe since 2019. Although she identified as both “proudly South African” and “proudly Nigerian” in a prior interview, responses from the public indicated divided sentiments regarding her representation. After her victory in Miss Universe, she indicated that she plans to seek therapy in response to the trauma inflicted by online abuse.

Chidimma Adetshina’s participation in beauty pageants has highlighted issues of identity, national representation, and social media dynamics in South Africa and Nigeria. As a contestant who faced significant trolling and accusations regarding her nationality, Adetshina’s experience reflects the complexities many individuals navigate regarding their cultural and national identities in a globalized context. The reaction of the public to her representation has sparked discussions about national pride, diversity, and acceptance within beauty pageants.

Chidimma Adetshina’s impressive second-place finish in the Miss Universe competition stands as a testament to her resilience and dedication, particularly in the face of adversity related to her identity. While she has garnered recognition and made history as an influential figure in beauty pageants, the reactions she received from both South African and Nigerian communities underscore ongoing dialogues about national identity and representation. As she embarks on a journey of healing from the trauma experienced, her story resonates with many who face similar challenges of acceptance and belonging.

Original Source: www.bbc.com