Chidimma Adetshina, who recently clinched the title of Miss Universe Nigeria, has bravely opened up about her tumultuous journey to success.
Representing Taraba State, Chidimma outshone 25 other contestants to win the prestigious crown at the grand finale held at Eko Hotels & Suites, Lagos. Her win sets the stage for her to represent Nigeria at the Miss Universe pageant in Mexico.
In a candid interview with BBC News Pidgin, Chidimma recounted her deeply emotional journey, revealing the challenges she faced along the way. Her path to victory was not without significant hurdles, including her forced withdrawal from the Miss South Africa pageant due to questions about her citizenship. Chidimma, who has lived in South Africa for 23 years, expressed her heartbreak over being perceived as not “South African enough” due to her name.
It has been a hectic one, I think I’ve been avoiding it because it’s so emotional for me. I just cried earlier because I think I need to get used to talking about it,” Chidimma said. She further elaborated on the gravity of the situation: “What happened wasn’t a minor thing; it was a really major thing, but I will be okay. South Africans felt I wasn’t South African enough because of my name. I lived there for 23 years. It’s heartbreaking to see I wasn’t welcome and accepted.”
Chidimma’s path to Miss Universe Nigeria was fraught with challenges, including intense competition and controversy. After withdrawing from the Miss Universe South Africa pageant, where her citizenship was questioned, Chidimma faced a strategic effort to undermine her by South Africans supporting rival contestant Ufa Dania. Despite this, Chidimma’s resilience shone through. Though Dania led in votes with 23,901, Chidimma’s Nigerian supporters rallied in large numbers, securing her victory with 23,422 votes.
Also Read:Phyna Sparks Debate Over Chidinma Adetshina’s Miss Universe Candidacy
