Chidimma Vanessa Adetshina: From Miss South Africa to Miss Universe Nigeria 2024
Did you guys hear? Chidimma won!
Chidimma Vanessa Adetshina’s journey to the Miss Universe Nigeria crown has been nothing short of remarkable. After being at the centre of a xenophobic media storm in South Africa, where her Nigerian heritage was used as a weapon against her, Chidimma has found a new stage to showcase her beauty, resilience, and message of unity.
Chidimma, a 23-year-old law student, first caught the public’s eye as a finalist in the Miss South Africa pageant. However, her participation sparked intense backlash, primarily due to her Nigerian roots. The criticism escalated to the point where she was forced to withdraw from the competition, a decision driven by concerns for her safety and that of her family. Despite being a South African citizen, her Nigerian ancestry became a focal point of xenophobic and Afrophobic sentiments, leading to an unwarranted investigation into her citizenship status.
Due to the backlash, Adetshina experienced an intense identity crisis, speaking on it with Tacha on Cool FM Nigeria, she talked about how difficult it had been for her “There were times where I cried myself to sleep.” However, she remained determined to focus on the positives, a mindset that has undoubtedly propelled her forward.
However where one door closed, another opened. After hearing about her story, the organizers of MISS Universe Nigeria extended a heartfelt invitation for her to compete in their contest. They saw in Chidimma not just a contestant but a symbol of resilience, a young woman who could represent Nigeria with pride and strength on the international stage.
And represent what she did. On 31st August, Chidimma Vanessa Adetshina was crowned Miss Universe Nigeria 2024, a moment that brought her to tears of joy. “This crown is not just for beauty; it’s a call for unity,” she declared, her voice filled with emotion after being named the winner. Chidimma, who represented Taraba State, will now represent Nigeria at the MISS Universe grand finale in Mexico this November.
Her victory was confirmed by Pop Pulse, a South African-based media entertainment channel, in a post on its X account, #Pop_PulseZa. “Chidimma Adetshina has been crowned MISS Universe Nigeria 2024!” the post read. “She’ll be representing Nigeria at the MISS Universe grand finale in Mexico this November. Congratulations, Chidimma,” it added. The news has been widely celebrated on social media, where many hailed her as a beacon of hope and a symbol of the strength that comes from embracing one’s identity.
Chidimma’s journey to the crown was not just about winning a title; it was about overcoming adversity and using her platform to promote unity across Africa. Her victory serves as a powerful reminder that beauty pageants, often seen as superficial, can be platforms for meaningful change. By winning Miss Universe Nigeria, Chidimma has turned her struggles into a public triumph, showing that the challenges she faced only made her stronger.
There’s a lot of talk on social media that her controversy won her the crown. It’s hard to say if Miss Adetshina would or would not have won the competition had she been competing in Nigeria from the get-go, but her history may have been a strong propeller. And perhaps it’s the very force she will use to win Miss Universe for Nigeria.
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