In a historic achievement, Nigeria’s Chidimma Adetshina has been named the first runner-up at the 73rd Miss Universe pageant, held at Arena CDMX in Mexico City.
This marks the highest placement ever for a Nigerian contestant in the prestigious global competition.
Denmark’s Victoria Kjaer Theilvig emerged as the winner of the 2024 Miss Universe crown, leaving audiences captivated by her elegance and poise.
Chidimma’s road to the Miss Universe stage was anything but smooth. Before representing Nigeria, the 23-year-old model faced a challenging ordeal in South Africa, where she initially competed in the country’s Miss Universe qualifiers. Born in South Africa to a Nigerian father, Chidimma was forced to withdraw from the competition amidst a heated nationality controversy.
Her withdrawal came after intense backlash from South African nationals, which she cited as a threat to her safety and that of her family. The incident highlighted simmering anti-foreigner sentiments in the country, sparking conversations about inclusion and representation in beauty pageants.
Despite the hurdles, Chidimma returned to her roots in Nigeria and went on to win the Miss Universe Nigeria crown, earning her spot on the international stage. Her remarkable journey and outstanding performance at Miss Universe 2024 have not only broken records but also inspired millions across Africa and beyond.
Chidimma’s achievement is being celebrated as a triumph of resilience, grace, and determination, cementing her legacy as a trailblazer in Nigeria’s pageant history.
