Chidimma Adetshina defies the odds

Rather than the Miss Universe crown being beyond Chidimma Vanessa Adetshina, she went ahead to become a contestant beyond the limitations in South Africa to clinching a remarkable second place at the Miss Universe finals in Mexico as Miss Universe Nigeria. Oludare Richards writes on how events set the beauty queen on a path that defied the odds on her journey to the Miss Universe world stage.

Chidimma Adetshina clinched the position of First Runner-up at the Miss Universe finals as Miss Denmark, Victoria Akjaer, won the esteemed Miss Universe 2024. The win for Chidimma Adetshina in second place is undeniable as she emerges victorious nonetheless in a journey trailed with odd defying experiences and fears.

Considering that Chidimma did not set out on the prevailing path as Miss Universe Nigeria on the get go, the rewards of perseverance, determination, strength and faith, played out to her eventual victory dance.

“I’m so excited. | don’t have words to describe what I’m feeling right now, but I’m so proud of myself, and | just made history!”, Chidimma said in an interview following her success, shared on X.com by the Miss Universe Nigeria organisation.

During the final moments before the announcement, Chidimma Adetshina and Victoria Akjaer held each other’s hands right, being the last two contestants to have emerged for the crown. The announcement of Miss Denmark was however unfazing; Chidimma already won the battle at the mountain peak as she basked in the glory of her attainment.

Beyond the victory in her second place emergence is the symbolic image she is beheld by; Chidimma represents the values of an unbroken spirit even in the face of strife that marked the tracks of her ascent.

Chidimma’s victory is preceded by a rigorous selection process in a competition involving 126 contestants from around the world.
Chidimma is a LLB Law student, athlete, and champion of diversity, equity, and inclusion. At 23, her life experiences, marked by resilience in the face of rejection and abuse, has fueled her dedication.

Chidimma has embodied the image of a personality that fosters belonging among individuals from diverse backgrounds, identities, and abilities, through strength, unity, education, and inclusion. The Miss Universe initiative embodies her conviction that unity and inclusivity are pivotal to societal progress.

Beyond advocacy, Chidimma strives to contribute meaningfully to society through various inclusive endeavours, driven by her fervent vision for a brighter, more equitable future.

Adetshina plans to use her platform to promote diversity, inclusion, and acceptance. Indeed renowned, the Miss Universe Organization (MUO), prides itself as a global, inclusive organisation that celebrates all cultures, backgrounds and religions and has made it possible for Chidimma to bear a torch for progressive impact and change.

Living up to its purpose of creating and providing a safe space for women to share their stories and drive impact personally, professionally, and philanthropically, the Miss Universe platform would indeed help Chidimma tell her story and make the impact she hopes to through her elevation from the Miss Universe Nigeria to the world stage, whether she wins the international crown or not.

According to MUO, “women who participate in this international platform serve as inspirational leaders and role models to their communities and fans around the world”.

Adetshina’s dual nationality played out for her in a situation where she could well be described as a victim of a long-term rivalry between her countries of interest. Although she originally competed for Miss South Africa, she withdrew due to online abuse and a controversial nationality dispute.

Regardless, Chidimma turned out to be one of the most popular contestants for the 2024 Miss Universe crown and one of the most popular Nigerian beauty queens in recent years.
Chidimma may well speak to the situation that once again brought to the fore the bitter taste of rejection after being served a lash of the xenophobic whip.

Whilst she remained in the line of fire from critics and South African authorities, in what South African culture analyst, Pitika Ntuli, called a “cross fire” in weaponised anti-foreigner sentiment, Chidimma proceeded to Mexico amid threats to withdraw her South African citizenship and travel documents.

Upon arrival in Mexico, she expressed in a post on Instagram, her gratitude for the love and support received from her fans. “To the charming gardeners of the Universe, I appeal to you to welcome me with open hands, hearken to the echoes of a mind on a mission, a story so big, and a drive so powerful to call the Universe to action.”

Ironically, Chidimma competed against contestants from across the world, including Mia Le Roux, who eventually won the 2024 Miss South Africa contest.
Miss Le Roux, who said “I never thought someone like me could become Miss South Africa” is the first deaf woman to be crowned Miss South Africa, which is a credit to South Africa for the enabling environment for Persons With Disabilities (PWDs). It ends at that.

South African authorities gave Chidimma and her mother till October 29 to show reason why their national identification documents should not be withdrawn.

“We have not received any response and, therefore, the department will be proceeding with the withdrawal of those documents in line with the Identification Act,” South African Home Affairs Director-General, Tommy Makhode, told a committee in Parliament.

Makhode said Chidimma’s mother would also have her documents cancelled as they had both failed to meet the given deadline to provide reasons why they should be eligible to keep them.
He said the case had been referred to the Hawks, a special police unit that investigates high level crimes in South Africa. The body concluded that it was though a “case of fraud”, Chidimma “could not have participated in the alleged unlawful actions of her mother as she was an infant at the time”.

At press time, no comment has been made by Chidimma and her mother regarding the move to revoke their papers.
Further on the odds, a group, referred to as the Progressive Forces of South Africa, wrote a petition to the Miss Universe organisers to halt her participation in the competition. She walked the Miss Universe runway with sheer uncertainty about her future and that of her mother and forge ahead with the prospect of losing access to her way back to the land she’s known all her life as home.

Born and raised in South Africa, her unique multicultural heritage was never confusing as she’s always prided herself as being South African and Nigerian. Despite the backlash and anti-foreigner sentiment she faced as a Miss Universe South Africa contestant, she found herself reignited with remarkable determination to remain a “strong black African woman”.

Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua crowned her successor at the end of the event. Miss Universe 2024 will be the 73rd Miss Universe pageant. The 2024 contest recorded 127 entrants (after the withdrawal of a contestant) and 30 placements.

The schedule for the Miss Universe event in Mexico started with the Crown cocktail opening on November 12 followed by the November 14 Preliminary and National Costume Competition. November 15 was the farewell tea with the former Queen, Sheynnis Palacios, then the Final Competition on November 16.

It was on November 16 that the 30 women were chosen to participate in the quarter-finals and the world had the opportunity to choose their favourites through votes.

The 30 selected candidates paraded in a new swimsuit round, where 18 of them left the competition.

The 12 who continued (semi-finalists) paraded in evening dresses (chosen to the taste of each candidate), where another 7 were eliminated from the contest. The remaining five finalists underwent final questioning from the jury, who determined the final positions and the winner.
Already, the social mediascape was abuzz with content producers rallying support in call for votes for Chidimma. Increased banter between proponents from both sides of the national divide also ran amok.

Meanwhile, Chidimma retained die-hard South African fans who continue to root for her. She also garnered the support of Nigerians in the Diaspora and fans from other African countries who joined the expanding divide of supporters.

Needless to say, the Nigerian – South African drama concerning Chidimma has been a highlight, especially for black African conversations around the world as the Miss Universe contest gained more attention than its usual sphere of audiences.

Voting is an important part of the contest and people were encouraged to vote as much as possible. Voting can be done multiple times.
Members of the selection committee, which is made up of experts who have already chosen Miss Universe in previous editions include Producer, Emilio Estefan; Influencer, Lele Pons; Brazilian artist, Romero Britto; Fashion Designer, Eva Cavalli and Presenter, Jessica Carrillo.

Others are: Former Miss Universe, Margaret Gardiner; Designer, Michael Cinco; Businessman and Influencer, Gianluca Vacchi; Dr. Camila Guiribitey, Actress; Singer and Songwriter Fariana; Nova Stevens, Miss Universe Canada 2020; Art Collector, Gary Nader and Fashionista, Gabriela Gonzalez.