Chidimma Adetshina: Celebrating Miss Nigeria’s Historic Accomplishment at Miss Universe
Chidimma Adetshina proudly secured second place at Miss Universe, also earning the titles of Miss Africa and Oceania. Despite facing xenophobic trolling and nationality controversies, she transitioned from competing in Miss South Africa to winning Miss Nigeria, ultimately qualifying for the global stage. Adetshina aims to address the trauma from her experiences and represents a significant milestone for black African women in pageantry.
Chidimma Adetshina, representing Nigeria, has expressed immense pride in securing the second position at the Miss Universe competition, in addition to being named Miss Africa and Oceania. “I am so proud of myself and I just made history,” she stated after the event, where Miss Denmark, Victoria Kjær Theilvig, was crowned the winner. Amidst a backdrop of xenophobic trolling stemming from her Nigerian heritage, Adetshina, originally a contestant in Miss South Africa, faced adversity when South African authorities threatened to revoke her identity papers over alleged fraud linked to her mother’s citizenship. Following the controversy surrounding her nationality, Adetshina chose to compete in the Miss Nigeria competition, subsequently qualifying for the prestigious Miss Universe pageant hosted in Mexico City. Mia le Roux, the then-Miss South Africa, withdrew from participating due to medical reasons, paving the way for Adetshina’s opportunity. In previous statements to the BBC, she described herself as “proudly South African” and “proudly Nigerian,” yet the reaction to her success has been mixed, with some questioning her representation. Despite this, she conveyed her intention to seek therapy to address the trauma from the trolling she faced. Notably, Adetshina achieved the highest placement for a black African woman since Zozibini Tunzi’s victory in 2019.
Chidimma Adetshina’s participation in the Miss Universe contest has highlighted significant social issues around identity, inclusion, and national pride in South Africa and Nigeria. Born in South Africa to a Nigerian father and a mother with Mozambican roots, her journey has been marred by allegations of identity fraud and subsequent xenophobic backlash. Despite these challenges, her recent accolades underscore the complexities of national identity and representation, particularly in pageantry, where cultural heritage and personal history play crucial roles. Her story illustrates the broader societal tensions surrounding race and national belonging in contemporary Southern Africa.
In conclusion, Chidimma Adetshina’s experience at the Miss Universe competition exemplifies her resilience against adversity stemming from xenophobic sentiments. Her pride in her achievements and dedication to representing both her Nigerian roots and South African upbringing is commendable. As she moves forward, addressing the psychological impact of her experiences through professional support may empower her to continue breaking barriers in the modeling and pageantry arenas while inspiring future generations.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
