Chidimma Adetshina, the recently crowned Miss Universe Nigeria, has explained why she resigned from the South African beauty competition.
The model’s nationality stirred controversy at this year’s Miss South Africa contest.
This sparked criticism on social media, especially among South Africans. Chidimma later withdraws from the Miss South Africa pageant.
In a recent interview with Silverbird TV, the model stated that she was not accepted by South Africans because of her Igbo name.
Chidimma characterized her experience in the South African beauty contest as “horrible and heartbreaking”.
Despite being born in South Africa, the 23-year-old says she is “proudly Nigerian”.
“It all started because of my name. People were not happy that my name is Chidimma and I am representing South Africa,” she said.
“South Africans felt like I wasn’t South African enough because of my name. It was really sad to see and it was a very horrible experience that I wouldn’t wish it on anybody.
“I have lived there for 23 years and it’s heartbreaking to see that I wasn’t welcomed and accepted. There were certain things that happened behind the scenes that made me withdraw.
“It was heartbreaking that I had to withdraw close to the finale but a decision had to be made and it really hit social media as well.
“But what I know is that I was born in South Africa and I am a South African. I am still proudly Nigerian as well.”
On August 14, the model accepted an invitation to participate in the Miss Universe Nigeria contest. She was declared the winner of the 2024 pageant on Saturday.
Chidimma was born in 2001 in Soweto’s Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital.
Her father is of Igbo heritage, and according to some stories, her mother is a Mozambican who has become a naturalized citizen of South Africa.
