Chidimma Adetshina: A Trailblazer for Miss Nigeria at Miss Universe

Chidimma Adetshina, representing Nigeria, secured second place at Miss Universe and received the title of Miss Africa and Oceania. She faced xenophobic trolling and issues regarding her nationality after competing in Miss South Africa. Despite the challenges, she expressed pride in her achievements and plans to seek therapy for trauma following online abuse, emerging as a significant figure for black African women in pageantry.

Chidimma Adetshina, representing Nigeria, has expressed immense pride in securing the second position at the recent Miss Universe competition, where she was also honored as Miss Africa and Oceania. Following the event, Adetshina stated, “I am so proud of myself and I just made history,” acknowledging her remarkable achievement after finishing behind Miss Denmark, Victoria Kjær Theilvig. Adetshina’s journey to the Miss Universe stage was marred by a series of challenges, including xenophobic backlash and issues regarding her nationality that followed her participation in the Miss South Africa contest, ultimately leading her to compete for the title of Miss Nigeria. Despite her difficulties, including facing scrutiny from South African authorities regarding her identity, Adetshina maintained her stance of dual pride by identifying as both “proudly South African” and “proudly Nigerian.” She emphasized the importance of representation and resilience in the face of adversity, particularly as she navigated the emotional turmoil stemming from online abuse. Many voiced their support, yet some South Africans questioned her representation at the Miss Universe event after her victory in Miss Nigeria. A law student, Adetshina’s inclusion in the Miss Universe competition comes after the winner of Miss South Africa, Mia le Roux, withdrew due to health reasons, marking a significant milestone as Adetshina stands as the highest-placing black African woman in the pageant since Zozibini Tunzi’s win in 2019. In light of the challenges she faced, Adetshina has expressed intentions to seek therapeutic support to help process her experiences.

The context surrounding Chidimma Adetshina’s participation in Miss Universe is intertwined with her identity struggles, primarily due to her father’s Nigerian heritage and her upbringing in South Africa. Following her participation in the Miss South Africa pageant, she faced xenophobic trolling that questioned her identity credentials. South African authorities’ allegations against her mother regarding identity fraud further complicated her situation, seemingly undermining her accomplishments and affecting her public perception. Adetshina’s eventual success in the Miss Nigeria pageant led to her qualification for Miss Universe, highlighting her resilience in overcoming these challenges.

Chidimma Adetshina’s journey to becoming Miss Universe runner-up epitomizes perseverance amid adversity and societal challenges surrounding identity. Her achievements not only spotlight her personal triumphs but also the broader narrative of representation for black African women in global competitions. As she moves forward, her commitment to seeking mental health support underscores the impact of public scrutiny on individual well-being, ultimately contributing to a dialogue on resilience and identity in multicultural societies.

Original Source: www.bbc.com