The newly-crowned Miss Universe Nigeria, Chidimma Adetshina, has firmly emphasized that her victory was not due to pity votes, but rather the result of her dedication and hard work throughout the competition. Adetshina’s statement comes in response to critics who have questioned the legitimacy of her win.
It’s important to recall that Adetshina faced significant challenges earlier this year. In August 2024, she had to withdraw from South Africa’s beauty pageant after being embroiled in a scandal involving allegations of fraud and identity theft, where her mother was implicated. This controversy led to her exit from the competition, leaving her with a tarnished reputation and uncertain prospects.
Despite these setbacks, Chidimma faced additional hurdles, including xenophobic backlash and rejection from the South African public due to her Nigerian nationality. However, determined not to let these challenges define her, Adetshina accepted an invitation to compete in the Miss Universe Nigeria pageant. Her resilience and determination paid off, as she ultimately emerged victorious, claiming the prestigious title of Miss Universe Nigeria.
Following her win, Adetshina addressed the criticism surrounding her victory during an interview with Arise News on Friday. She candidly responded to those who believed her success was driven by sympathy, stating that her triumph was the result of tireless effort and perseverance.
“A lot of people felt like it was a pity win. I don’t think so. I feel like I really worked so hard, coming from the South Africa journey. We spent like 10 weeks, camp, going through the whole journey,” she explained, reflecting on the challenges she faced and the dedication she demonstrated.
She further elaborated, saying, “It might have been a slight difference compared to everybody else, but if you have to look at the journey that we have all been through, I feel like I really had the same experience with other contestants.” Her words highlight her belief that her experience was as rigorous and deserving as that of any other participant.
Watch the video below …
A Lot Of People Thought It Was A Pity Win, But I Worked Hard – Chidimma Adetshina
The journey might have been slightly different compared to everyone else, but looking back, I feel I had the same experience as the other ladies.
Miss Universe Nigeria, Chidimma Adetshina pic.twitter.com/9x7BEaodZv
— ARISE NEWS (@ARISEtv) September 7, 2024