Former Miss SA finalist Chidimma Adetshina has been mocked on social media for “downgrading” her quest for the crown to the Miss Universe Nigeria competition.
This follows behind-the-scenes images of pageant week that have gone viral on social media.
A new queen will be crowned on Saturday, 31 August, at the Eko Hotels & Suites in Lagos. The winner will represent the country at the Miss Universe pageant in November in Mexico.
HAS CHIDIMMA ‘DOWNGRADED’ BY COMPETING AT MISS UNIVERSE NIGERIA?
On the X platform, social media users have been posting side-by-side comparisons of the Miss SA pageant – won by Mia Le Roux earlier this month – and the Miss Universe Nigeria pageant.
This follows Chidimma’s decision to drop out of the local pageant in favour of one promoting her “father’s homeland.” The 23-year-old’s parents – a Nigerian father and a Mozambican mother – are currently under investigation by the Department of Home Affairs amid allegations they fraudulently registered her birth in South Africa.
In the viral images, many believe Chidimma “downgraded” to the Nigerian pageant after dropping out of the prestigious Miss SA contest.
@Fit_Mandisa: “What a downgrade. Chidimma went to a high school beauty contest in a village.”
@Ona1718501: “I am sure Chidimma regrets being there. This is a downgrade.”
@ApheleleJody: “During Miss SA’s preparations/rehearsals, they were drinking BNG and Mofaya. What are they drinking in Miss Universe Nigeria? Tap water?”
Others, like TV commentator Phil Mphela, have criticised Chidimma for being obligated to promote a skin-bleaching brand, which is a major sponsor of the Miss Universe Nigeria.
“Weh, Chichi. Is all this worth it, mara?” he tweeted.
‘STILL PROUDLY SOUTH AFRICAN’
Despite competing at the Miss Universe Nigeria pageant, Chidimma Adetshina has told the public that she is still “proudly South African.”
Speaking in a radio interview with Rhythm 93.7FM Nigeria, she said of the “adversity” of being under public scrutiny over her parentage: “My name has brought a lot of awareness into this. But I don’t want it to come in a negative way. Because as much as I am still fighting for my identity, I am still proudly South African, and I am still proudly Nigerian. And it’s really OK to be diverse.
“I want people to see that good side but also for us to start acknowledging it and accepting it.”
Chidimma added that her mission was to promote inclusion and diversity.
She continued: “I will make a powerful impact. There are a lot of people who are just as diverse as I am and I don’t want us to live in a society or community where we are excluded because of the diverse backgrounds we have. I want us to be included, celebrated, appreciated, loved, and accepted.
“Me just being here, I am not only representing myself, but I am representing a lot of people who see themselves in me and are diverse in their culture.”
DOES CHIDIMMA HAVE A SHOT AT WINNING MISS UNIVERSE NIGERIA?
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