Chidimma Adetshina, a 2024 Miss South Africa finalist who withdrew from the competition after facing online harassment due to her Nigerian heritage, has officially accepted an invitation to participate in the upcoming Miss Universe Nigeria 2024 Beauty Pageant.
In a video that went viral on Wednesday, Adetshina expressed her excitement and gratitude for the opportunity, stating,
“I express my gratitude to the incredible people who have shown me so much love and so much support. I have received an invitation from an organizer of the Miss Universe Nigeria Beauty Pageant.This is a great excitement because I have decided to participate in Miss Universe Nigeria Beauty Pageant 2024.”
Born in Soweto, South Africa, to a Nigerian father and a Mozambican mother, Adetshina became the target of social media attacks during her Miss South Africa journey. Despite meeting all the competition’s requirements, her Nigerian heritage drew unwarranted scrutiny, ultimately leading to her withdrawal from the contest last Thursday. According to reports, Adetshina cited concerns for her safety and that of her family as the primary reasons for her decision to step down.
“Being part of the Miss South Africa 2024 competition has been an amazing journey; however, after much careful consideration, I have made the difficult decision to withdraw myself from the competition for the safety and well-being of my family and I,” she stated.
Adetshina’s withdrawal sparked outrage and disappointment among Nigerians on social media, igniting a broader conversation on inclusion, diversity, and representation in beauty pageants. The controversy was further fueled by the victory of Mia Le Roux, who, despite being born to white parents, emerged as the winner of Miss South Africa 2024, raising questions about the implications of her win on the ideals of diversity and representation.
With her participation in Miss Universe Nigeria 2024, Adetshina is poised to make a powerful statement about resilience and the celebration of diverse heritages on a global stage.
