In brief
Chidimma Adetshina, the reigning Miss Nigeria, has proudly accepted her second-place finish in the Miss Universe competition, making history as the highest-placed black African woman since South Africa's Zozibini Tunzi in 2019. Despite facing significant trolling and xenophobic abuse due to her Nigerian heritage, Adetshina persevered and also earned the title of Miss Africa and Oceania at the event held in Mexico City.
Originally entering the pageant world through the Miss South Africa competition, Adetshina had a tumultuous journey marred by claims regarding her nationality stemming from her mother's alleged identity fraud. After winning the Miss Nigeria title, she qualified for the Miss Universe contest. In a heartfelt statement, Adetshina expressed pride for her accomplishment, stating, "I'm so proud of myself and I just made history." The winner of Miss South Africa, Mia le Roux, notably withdrew from the Miss Universe contest due to health issues. In a recent interview, Adetshina highlighted her dual identity, embracing both her Nigerian roots and South African upbringing despite negative backlash from some South Africans. Following the competition, she announced a decision to pursue therapy in response to the trauma experienced due to online harassment.Adetshina's remarkable journey reflects the complex interplay of identity in beauty standards while paving the way for more representation and inclusivity in international pageants.
