Instead of failing to win the title of Miss Universe, Chidimma Vanessa Adetshina went on to compete beyond the bounds of South Africa and win an incredible second place as Miss Universe Nigeria at the Miss Universe finals in Mexico.
Oludare Richards describes how the beauty queen’s journey to the Miss Universe world stage was shaped by circumstances that went against the grain.
As Miss Denmark, Victoria Akjaer, took home the prestigious title of Miss Universe 2024, Chidimma Adetshina secured the title of First Runner-up in the Miss Universe finals.
Despite a voyage filled with strange, contradicting sensations and fears, Chidimma Adetshina’s victory in second place is indisputable.
Given that Chidimma did not initially choose the popular route to become Miss Universe Nigeria, her winning dance was the result of her tenacity, resolve, fortitude, and faith.
In a post-event interview posted on X.com by the Miss Universe Nigeria organisation, Chidimma declared, “I’m so excited. | don’t have words to describe what I’m feeling right now, but I’m so proud of myself, and just made history.” As the final two competitors to compete for the title, Victoria Akjaer and Chidimma Adetshina held each other’s hands shortly before the announcement.
However, Chidimma was unfazed by the announcement of Miss Denmark; she was already victorious at the top of the mountain and revelled in her accomplishment.
A difficult screening process in a competition with 126 competitors from around the world precedes Chidimma victory.
Chidimma is an athlete, diversity, equity, and inclusion advocate, and an LLB law student. She is 23 years old, and her life experiences—which include resiliency in the face of abuse and rejection—have strengthened her commitment.
Through strength, unity, knowledge, and inclusion, Chidimma has exemplified the kind of personality that promotes a sense of belonging among people with different identities, backgrounds, and talents.
Her belief that inclusivity and togetherness are essential to the advancement of society is embodied in the Miss Universe program.
Motivated by her passionate vision for a better, more equal future, Chidimma works to make a significant contribution to society through a variety of inclusive initiatives in addition to campaigning.
Adetshina intends to advocate for acceptance, inclusivity, and diversity using her position. Chidimma has been able to carry a torch for progressive effect and change thanks to the Miss Universe Organisation (MUO), which is well-known for being an international, inclusive organisation that welcomes all cultures, backgrounds, and religions.
Whether she wins the international title or not, the Miss Universe platform would undoubtedly assist Chidimma in telling her story and making the impact she desires through her promotion from Miss Universe Nigeria to the global stage, fulfilling its mission of creating and offering a safe space for women to share their stories and drive impact personally, professionally, and philanthropically.
Women who engage in this global platform are “inspiring leaders and role models to their communities and fans around the world,” according to MUO.
Because of her dual nationality, Adetshina found herself in a predicament where she may be considered a victim of a long-standing rivalry between her countries of interest.
Despite her first participation in Miss South Africa, she withdrew because of online harassment and a contentious nationality debate. In any case, Chidimma emerged as one of the most well-liked Nigerian beauty queens in recent years and one of the most popular candidates for the 2024 Miss Universe title.
Chidimma might likely be referring to the incident that, after receiving a lash from the xenophobic whip, once more highlighted the unpleasant taste of rejection.
Despite being under attack from detractors and South African authorities, Chidimma went to Mexico despite threats to have her South African citizenship and travel documents revoked, in what South African culture analyst Pitika Ntuli described as a “cross fire” of weaponised anti-foreigner sentiment.
Following her arrival in Mexico, she posted on Instagram to thank her fans for their love and support. “I implore the Universe’s lovely gardeners to embrace me with open arms and listen to the sounds of a mind on a mission, a tale so vast, and a drive so strong to summon the Universe to action.”
Ironically, Mia Le Roux, the eventual winner of the 2024 Miss South Africa pageant, was among the competitors Chidimma faced from around the globe. The first deaf woman to win Miss South Africa, Miss Le Roux, remarked, “I never thought someone like me could become Miss South Africa.
” This is a testament to South Africa’s supportive environment for people with disabilities (PWDs). That’s where it stops. Chidimma and her mother were given until October 29 by South African authorities to provide justification for why their national identification certificates shouldn’t be cancelled.
The department will continue with the revocation of those documents in accordance with the Identification Act as we have not heard back. Tommy Makhode, the director-general of home affairs for South Africa, told a parliamentary committee.
Chidimma’s mother would also have her documents revoked, according to Makhode, as neither of them met the deadline for submitting justifications for their eligibility to retain them.
According to him, the Hawks, a specialised police team that looks into high-level crimes in South Africa, have been tasked with investigating the matter. Chidimma “could not have participated in the alleged unlawful actions of her mother as she was an infant at the time,” the board found, despite the fact that it was a “case of fraud.”
Chidimma and her mother have not commented on the decision to cancel their documents as of the time of publication.
To make matters worse, a group known as the Progressive Forces of South Africa petitioned the Miss Universe organisers to exclude her from competing.
She walked the Miss Universe runway with a great deal of doubt about her future and her mother’s future, and she faced the possibility of losing the means to return to the place she had known as home her entire life.
Her distinct multicultural background was never unclear because she was born and raised in South Africa and has always taken pride in being both Nigerian and South African.
She was inspired to be a “strong black African woman” in spite of the criticism and anti-foreigner sentiment she encountered while competing for Miss Universe South Africa.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua was crowned her successor. The 73rd Miss Universe pageant will take place in 2024. Following a contestant’s withdrawal, the 2024 competition had 30 placements and 127 entrants.
The Crown cocktail opening on November 12 and the preliminary and national costume competition on November 14 marked the beginning of the Miss Universe event calendar in Mexico.
The final competition took place on November 16 after the goodbye lunch with former Queen Sheynnis Palacios on November 15.
The 30 women who were selected to compete in the quarterfinals were announced on November 16; the public was then given the chance to vote for their favourites. 18 of the 30 chosen applicants exited the competition after they paraded in a new swimwear round.
Seven more candidates were removed from the competition after the twelve semi-finalists who advanced paraded in evening gowns selected based on their personal preferences.
The judges asked the remaining five contenders final questions before selecting the winner and final positions. On social media, content creators were already mobilising support and urging people to vote for Chidimma.
Proponents on both sides of the country’s split also started teasing each other more. In the meantime, Chidimma has managed to hold onto her devoted South African supporters. In addition, admirers from other African nations joined the growing number of her supporters, as did Nigerians living abroad.
As the Miss Universe competition attracted more attention than its typical audience, it goes without saying that the Nigerian-South African controversy surrounding Chidimma has been a highlight, particularly for Black African discussions worldwide.
Voting is a crucial component of the competition, and everyone was urged to cast as many ballots as they could. Voting is possible more than once.
The selection committee, which consists of professionals who have previously selected Miss Universe in past iterations, includes presenter Jessica Carrillo, fashion designer Eva Cavalli, Brazilian artist Romero Britto, influencer Lele Pons, and producer Emilio Estefan.
Others include: former Miss Universe Margaret Gardiner; designer Michael Cinco; influencer and businessman Gianluca Vacchi; actress Dr.
Camila Guiribitey; singer and songwriter Fariana; Miss Universe Canada 2020 Nova Stevens; art collector Gary Nader; and fashionista Gabriela Gonzalez.