Young, beautiful, and goal-getter Chidimma Adetshina, 23, is making history as the highest-placing Black African woman in the Miss Universe competition. She was recently crowned Miss Universe Africa and Oceania at the just concluded 73rd Miss Universe pageant held in Mexico City. She defeated over 120 pageants that competed for the golden crown and finished as the first runner-up, losing to Miss Denmark’s Victoria Kjaer Theilvig. With this achievement, Chidimma has become the first Miss Nigeria to reach the Top 5 in the history of the pageant. OLAITAN GANIU explores her trials, tribulations, and triumphs.
Although Chidimma Adetshina did not win the top prize, her tumultuous journey to the world stage serves as an inspiration for women, especially Africans, to embrace their heritage. Born and raised in South Africa by a Nigerian father and a South African mother with Mozambique roots, Adetshina initially competed for Miss South Africa but faced backlash, mockery, and xenophobic abuse for being biracial. Despite her desire to represent her birth country, the young lady was rejected, not once but twice.
“I signed up for Miss SA 2022 and I didn’t get accepted,” she said but the dark-skinned pageant never gave up. “I signed up again because I knew that this is the dream that I really wanted to fulfil.”
Adetshina before fame
As a child, she was an introverted and self-effacing figure with undeniable passion for netball when was enrolled in primary school. The sport quickly became her escape, helping her build confidence and determination to succeed as an athlete.
“I’m a very shy and very reserved person. I like to be on my own. I don’t really talk much, but I’m also an athlete, I play netball for the Western Province, and I play indoor and outdoor netball. I’m also a law student, but my life has just really been centered around sports,” she recalled.
She never nursed the idea of becoming a beauty pageant but the story changed in 2017. “I used to do beauty pageants for fun. I remember I did it when I was four years old, I did it in my primary school, Goodwood Park in Cape Town, and I also did it in my high school. So it wasn’t something I took seriously, I just really wanted to have fun with it then.
Continuing she said, “I wasn’t really serious about becoming a pageant queen until 2017 when I was actually aware of our pageant work. I was really intrigued by their crowns, the beauty, the walk and the dresses.”
Her quest to represent her home country in this year’s Miss South Africa pageant resulted in a traumatic experience for both her and her parents, regarding her nationality by some South Africans.
The issue escalated when the country’s Culture Minister, Gayton McKenzie commented that South Africa cannot grant Nigerians to compete in the Miss SA competition. Her mother was also accused of allegedly committing identity fraud by the Department of Home Affairs in South Africa.
Reacting to her critics, the law student pointed out that she was not the only contestant among the 16 finalists with a name originating from other countries. Due to the victimisation, Adetshina pulled out from the competition to retrace her steps to Nigeria.
Life after South Africa
Upon her arrival in Nigeria, Adetshina represented Taraba State during the Miss Universe Nigeria competition and clinched a coveted spot as the overall winner, defeating 24 contestants from other states on August 31.
According to her, winning the competition was not easy. “The girls here were very competitive. They really showcased themselves well. It wasn’t that easy.
She added, “At first, I didn’t want to accept the Silverbird’s invitation because I felt like it was too soon. But as a goal-getter, I felt I should give it a second chance, and that is why I accepted the invitation.
“I remember at the beginning of the year, I was like, ‘I need to go to Nigeria, I haven’t been to Nigeria, I don’t know how and when, but I need to go this year’, and God said, I’m going to show you how, and I’m here. Nigeria has been a blessing for me, since the moment I arrived, it’s been good things, after good things, after good things, and I just made history for Nigeria.”
Flying Nigerian flag
It was a dream come true when she received a ticket to represent Nigeria on the world stage at ‘Miss Universe 2024,’ which was scheduled for November 16 at Arena CDMX in Mexico City. Known affectionately as ChiChi by her fans, she captured global attention with her intelligence and display of African culture, earning the title of first runner-up.
She paid homage to African heritage before stepping on the stage. “As I step onto the Miss Universe stage tonight, I carry with me over 2 million beads of love, strength, and an unstoppable spirit. In this very moment, history is being made through my story. I call upon all my ancestors to guide my path with ease and grace. I promise to give my very best while you continue to pray for me.”
“As a woman who has faced adversity, I feel like I have a powerful story. I don’t stand here as Chidimma Adetshina, I stand here as a symbol of hope, a beckon of faith, someone who has persevered with grace. I believe I have fought for not only myself, but for Africa,” she said responding to a question about generations of women.
“To my dearest Nigerians, with open arms, you carried me on wheels made of the purest love and intentions. I still cannot fully comprehend the reasons, but what matters most is that you’ve given me a second chance at life. For a moment, my life flashed before my eyes, but in the next breath, Nigeria refueled my purpose and my reason to live.”
Expressing gratitude after her achievement in her fatherland she stated, “I came, I saw, and I shook the universe. Returning home as Miss Universe First Runner-Up and Miss Universe Africa and Oceania. I’m filled with immense gratitude for Nigeria and Africa for believing in me and helping me reclaim my dreams. This is what it truly means for dreams to come true.
“Many wonder why I didn’t stop. Many asked, “Why not let it be for now? Your life might be at risk.” Some questioned, “Why isn’t she giving up? Does she crave the clout?” I sat back, overwhelmed with so many unanswered questions as life moved faster than I could process. But do you know what? My dreams have kept me afloat.”
By Olaitan Ganiu @TheNation
