Miss Nigeria’s pride after defying trolls to challenge for Miss Universe

May Be Interested In:Former Seahawks Pro Bowl Safety Jamal Adams to Sign With Lions


Miss Nigeria, Chidimma Adetshina, has spoken of her pride at coming second in the Miss Universe competition, as well as being named Miss Africa and Oceania.

“I’m so proud of myself and I just made history,” she said, shortly after losing out to Miss Denmark, Victoria Kjær Theilvig.

Adetshina originally competed in the Miss South Africa contest, as she was born and grew up in the country, however she was subjected to trolling and xenophobic abuse because her father is Nigerian.

Last month, the South African authorities said they would strip her of her identity papers, following allegations that her mother, who has Mozambican roots, had committed identity fraud to gain South African nationality.

Neither Adetshina nor her mother have commented on the allegations. South African authorities pointed out that Adetshina could not have participated in any alleged fraud as she was an infant at the time.

After the furore in South Africa, and the doubts about her nationality, she competed in the Miss Nigeria competition, which she won to qualify for the Miss Universe contest held in Mexico City.

The eventual winner of Miss South Africa, Mia le Roux, pulled out of Miss Universe last week citing an undisclosed medical condition. She was the first deaf woman to become Miss South Africa.

In September, Adetshina, a law student, told the BBC that she still saw herself as “proudly South African” and “proudly Nigerian”.

But after Miss Universe South Africa tweeted to congratulate her on her second place, along with both South African and Nigerian flags, some South Africans responded by saying she did not represent them.

In her BBC interview, Adetshina said she would be seeking therapy to help her deal with the trauma following the abuse she was subjected to.

She is the highest placed black African woman in Miss Universe since South Africa’s Zozibini Tunzi won the competition in 2019.

You may also be interested in:

[Getty Images/BBC]

Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent.

Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica

BBC Africa podcasts



share Share facebook pinterest whatsapp x print

Similar Content

Brookfield, Carney Targeted in Attack by Canada Conservative
Brookfield, Carney Targeted in Attack by Canada Conservative
Christopher Columbus's DNA to shed light on his origins
Christopher Columbus’s DNA to shed light on his origins
Download app from appStore
Is it safe to travel to Spain and should I cancel my holiday after flooding disaster?
Everything to know about holidays at Disneyland, and a free ticket deal
Everything to know about holidays at Disneyland, and a free ticket deal
US gives Israel 30 days to boost Gaza aid or risk cuts to military support
US gives Israel 30 days to boost Gaza aid or risk cuts to military support
Tulsi Gabbard, Trump's top spy pick, faces fresh scrutiny over Syria and Russia positions
Tulsi Gabbard, Trump’s top spy pick, faces fresh scrutiny over Syria and Russia positions

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Voices of the People: The Untold Stories | © 2024 | Daily News