Celebrating Chidinma Adetshina, Nigeria's Global Queen

From the ashes of rejection from a xenophobic mob in South Africa to the comforting arms of loving, caring and accommodating Nigerians, Chidinma Adetshina’s meteoric rise to global acceptance and endorsement has put in bold relief the power of love over hate, the power of self-belief over abuse and the ultimate supremacy of positivity over negativity.

Just this past weekend, Chidinma  Adetshina, 22-year-old beauty queen who represented Nigeria at the 73rd Miss Universe pageant,was crowned first runner-up at the grand finale of the competition.

Chidinma’s success at the Miss Universe pageant came after an ordeal in South Africa that left her reeling in torment, embarrassment and depression. Thankfully, Her Nigerian compatriots rose to the occasion and did an excellent take-down of her tormentors and abusers online.

Miss Universe: Nigerians celebrate Chidinma Adetshina as first runner-up

The grand finale of the 2024 Miss Universe held  at the Arena CDMX in Mexico City, with Miss Denmark, Victoria Kjaer Theilvig, edging out 124 contestants from around the globe to win the crown.

However, the event witnessed an intriguing face-off between Nigeria and Denmark, as the two beauty queens stood poised to claim the crown, but Miss Denmark ultimately won the highly coveted crown.

The new Miss Universe  has taken over from Miss Universe 2023, Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua.

 

Chidinma’s Message

In an emotion-laden message, Adetshina recalled how Nigerians supported her during her lowest, and how Africa as a continent taught her the power of unity in the pursuit of success.

She wrote: “To Nigeria: THANK YOU is not enough for all the support you’ve shown. You picked me up when I was at my lowest.

“I’ve never opened up but I was ready to give up on my life but you became my strength, on days I never wanted to fight you gave me the strength to fight.

“I’m so grateful for each and every one walking this journey with me,“she said.

The new Miss Universe Africa also salutes the continent, saying: “To Africa: thank you for showing your love and support.

“As much as I represent Nigeria, Africa fought for me, my voice; my story touched many and brought us together.

“This journey has taught me the power of unity. I want us to live in a society where we can all accept and celebrate one another.

“This is not the end but the beginning of my journey. Love Miss Universe 1st runner.”

 

Chidinma’s journey

Chidinma Adetshina’s journey to becoming the first runner-up in the 2024 Miss Universe pageant is not just a tale of beauty and grace; it is a powerful narrative of resilience, identity, and triumph over adversity. Her story resonates deeply, showcasing the spirit of determination that defines many young women today.

From Miss South Africa to Miss Nigeria to Miss Universe

Chidinma’s path to international acclaim began in South Africa, where she was initially a finalist in the Miss South Africa pageant. However, her participation was marred by controversy surrounding her nationality. Born to a Nigerian father and a Mozambican mother in Soweto, Chidinma faced xenophobic backlash when her Nigerian heritage was revealed. This intense scrutiny and vitriolic social media attacks forced her to withdraw from the competition for her family’s safety, leaving her aspirations in jeopardy236.

Despite this setback, Chidinma did not allow rejection to define her. Instead, she shifted her focus and entered the Miss Universe Nigeria pageant, where she emerged victorious. This pivotal moment marked a significant turning point in her journey, allowing her to represent Nigeria on a global stage.

A Stellar Performance at Miss Universe 2024

On November 16, 2024, at the 73rd Miss Universe pageant held in Mexico City, Chidinma showcased her remarkable poise and elegance among 130 contestants. Her performance throughout various segments—including the swimsuit round and evening gown presentation—captivated judges and audiences alike. Ultimately, she secured the first runner-up position, making history as the highest-ranked African contestant in the competition’s history.

Although Denmark’s Victoria Kjaer Theilvig claimed the crown, Chidinma’s achievement was celebrated widely back home in Nigeria. Her stunning national costume, “Nwanyi-Njiko,” symbolized unity and strength, further highlighting her cultural pride during the competition23.

Lessons from Chidinma Adetshina’s Journey

Chidinma’s story imparts several valuable lessons:

Resilience in Adversity: Chidinma’s ability to overcome rejection and adversity illustrates that setbacks can lead to new beginnings.

Cultural Identity: Embracing one’s heritage can be a source of strength rather than a hindrance.

Determination: Persistence is key; despite facing challenges, Chidinma remained focused on her goals.

Support Systems: The importance of community support is evident; after being rejected by South Africa, she found acceptance and encouragement from Nigerians who rallied behind her.

Embrace Change: Adaptability is crucial; shifting from one competition to another allowed her to redefine her path.

 

Opportunities Ahead for Chidinma

With her recent success at Miss Universe 2024, numerous opportunities now lie ahead for Chidinma Adetshina:

International Modeling Contracts: As a prominent figure in global beauty contests, she may attract lucrative modeling offers.

Advocacy Platforms: Chidinma can leverage her platform to advocate for issues such as xenophobia and cultural diversity.

Brand Partnerships: Companies seeking representation in Africa may approach her for endorsements or collaborations.

Public Speaking Engagements: Her inspiring story positions her well for motivational speaking opportunities at events worldwide.

Continued Representation: As Miss Universe Africa and Oceania, she will likely participate in various international events promoting African culture and beauty.

Chidinma Adetshina’s remarkable journey from rejection to recognition serves as an inspiring testament to resilience and self-belief. Her story not only uplifts those who have faced similar challenges but also reinforces the idea that true beauty lies in strength of character and determination.

 

After the 2024 Miss South Africa pageant finalist was forced to withdraw from the Miss Universe South Africa pageantry, in July and she later accepted an invitation to compete in the Nigerian pageant.

Her withdrawal paved the way for Caucasian, Mia Le Roux, who won the pageantry, and became the first Miss South African winner with a cochlear implant aiding her hearing. “It has been a long journey, from the SA competition to the Miss Universe Nigeria,” she admitted.

She recalled her moments before emerging as Miss Universe Nigeria 2024 and how it started.

She said she applied for the Miss South Africa 2024 pageant and got accepted and was really, excited at that stage, having made it to that point.

Following a wave of hostility, South Africans had questioned her eligibility to participate in their country’s contest after reports emerged that she was born to a Nigerian father and a South African mother with Mozambican roots. Adetshina expressed sadness, and a bit of discomfort bothering her name which South Africans frowned at.

Chidinma Adetshina became the frontline of the country’s xenophobia debate and national identity after she advanced to the Top 30 Miss SA and then finalist of the competition.

“And I was just like you know what? I’m okay, I’m fine. I don’t need to go further than this but they really saw my potential and every single week I kept on progressing until they made the big cut for the top 16 and it really made waves in South Africa. You know South Africans thought that my name was not South African enough.

“I didn’t take it too seriously that time. Then as soon as we got close to the finale, it started getting intense, actually every week it got more intense. And the week of the finale, some things happened behind the scene that made me withdraw from the competition, unfortunately, for my safety.

“And then I was really sad about it because I had thought that I was just there. And that dream got drifted away,” she said, momentarily snapping her fingers.

“I was just like ‘Okay it’s fine, it’s not the end of the world. And people started messaging me, asking me to enter for Miss Nigeria. And I was like, can I? Am I allowed to?

“I didn’t know the requirement and everything and a few days later I got an invitation from Silverbird asking me to come participate. I was like okay, this is my moment. But then I had a bit of doubt, because people on social media were like she didn’t go through the process, this was a little bit unfair, and I did consider their perspective valid as well. But then I took a deep thought into it.”

Being something she wanted, she accepted the invitation, describing it as once in a lifetime opportunity.

“That’s what I did, and accepted the invitation and here we are.” Growing up, Adetshina said people had a misconception of who she is and she got that all the time.

Born in South Africa, Adetshina visited Nigeria when she was 3 and later moved to South Africa after a couple of months. She further described her experience as a struggle and a tough journey, saying she missed her family and friends in South Africa. “They have been my biggest support structure.  They supported me even when I was in the SA competition.”

 

Pride and Celebration in Nigeria

Chidinma Adetshina’s remarkable achievement as the first runner-up in the 2024 Miss Universe pageant has sparked a wave of pride and celebration within Nigeria and among the Nigerian community globally. Her journey, marked by trials and triumphs, has not only united her compatriots but also ignited discussions about identity, resilience, and cultural pride.

Nigerian Community’s Reaction

Celebration on Social Media: Following Chidinma’s success, Nigerians took to social media platforms to express their joy and pride. Many celebrated her achievement as a historic moment for Nigeria, noting that she surpassed the previous record held by Agbani Darego, who finished in the top ten in 2001. Comments flooded in, with users highlighting her role as a “beacon of hope” for young Africans and praising her beauty and grace.

Support from Prominent Figures: Nigerian leaders and celebrities have publicly congratulated Chidinma. Statements from influential figures emphasized her role as a cultural ambassador and a source of inspiration for young women across Africa. Governor Mbah of Enugu State remarked that her story exemplifies perseverance and serves as motivation for the youth.

 

Peter Obi’s Message

“I followed with keen attention, the journey of our Nigerian beauty queen, Chidimma Adetshina, and her rise to stardom. I can only describe her journey as a demonstration of resilience, perseverance, and dedication.”

“Through her struggles and the very challenging times, she held on to faith, hope, and her determination to rise to the top.  And today, she has emerged victorious.

“She may not have received the 2024 Miss Universe crown, but competing against over 120 contestants from around the world and securing the first runner-up position in the competition and first position in Africa is a giant stride of which we are proud.  I sincerely congratulate her for believing in herself and our nation. And to all those who contributed to her success today, your hard work has indeed paid off.

In these very challenging times in our nation, she stands as a symbol of hope, especially to our youths facing different kinds of challenges, in their journey to greatness – Never give up, no matter how hard the journey, success lies ahead.”

“As I have always said, we will remain committed to building a better Nigeria for our very talented youths, no matter the obstacles that stand in our way, because undoubtedly – The New Nigeria is POssible.”

Community Solidarity: The Nigerian Citizens Association South Africa (NICASA) and the Nigerian Union South Africa (NUSA) have expressed their unwavering support for Chidinma. They condemned the xenophobic backlash she faced during her participation in the Miss South Africa pageant and called for unity among Africans, emphasizing that diversity should be embraced rather than feared.

Cultural Pride: Chidinma’s journey has reignited discussions around cultural identity among Nigerians. Her ability to navigate her dual heritage while proudly representing Nigeria has resonated with many, leading to renewed pride in Nigerian culture and achievements on international platforms.

Mixed Responses: While the majority celebrated her success, some discussions revealed lingering sentiments regarding her identity and connection to Nigeria. A few skeptics questioned her deep ties to Nigeria due to her upbringing in South Africa, reflecting ongoing complexities in national identity narratives within the diaspora.

 

Chidinma Adetshina’s journey from facing xenophobia in South Africa to becoming a celebrated figure in Nigeria highlights not only personal resilience but also the collective spirit of a nation rallying behind one of its own. Her achievement serves as a reminder of the power of unity and cultural pride, inspiring future generations to embrace their identities while striving for excellence on global stages.