By Abiola Olawale
At the prestigious 73rd Miss Universe pageant held in the vibrant city of Mexico City, Nigerian beauty queen Chidimma Adetshina etched her name in history by achieving an extraordinary milestone.
She became the first contestant from Nigeria to secure the title of first runner-up.
The coveted crown went to Denmark’s Victoria Kjaer Theilvig, who outshone 124 contestants from around the globe. Theilvig succeeds Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua, who held the title in 2023.
Chidimma’s national costume for the contest, “Nwanyi-Njiko,” was a breathtaking masterpiece crafted by the talented designers Abanobi Emmanuel Ifechukwu and Modela Couture.
Among the top five finalists, Chidimma stood alongside representatives from Denmark, Thailand, Mexico, and Venezuela, each showcasing their unique cultural narratives and competing for the global spotlight.
The New Diplomat reports that Adetshina’s journey to the Miss Universe stage was a compelling story of adversity and resilience.
Her quest began in South Africa, where she first set her sights on the glittering title.
However, her aspirations faced an unexpected challenge when a tumultuous nationality dispute abruptly halted her progress, complicating her dreams and pushing her to confront obstacles that would ultimately shape her character.
Born to a Nigerian father in South Africa, the 23-year-old faced intense backlash and xenophobic attacks when selected as a Miss South Africa finalist in July.
However, Adetshina persevered and later captured the coveted Miss Universe Nigeria title, showcasing her strength and determination amidst the trials she encountered.
