Miss Universe Africa and Oceania, Chidimma Adetshina, has announced her decision to step away from the World of beauty pageants to prioritize her education, mental health, and personal growth.
Adetshina, who made waves as a runner-up at the Miss Universe 2024 Pageant in Mexico, said her decision was rooted in a desire to focus on her studies and her future is beyond pageantry.
In an exclusive interview with BBC News Pidgin, the 23-year-old queen shared that she is ready to move on from the pageant scene.
“I am putting pageants to bed. I’m going to focus more on my education and establishing who Chidimma is. I have so many things I want to explore, and I’m excited to see where my potential can take me”, she revealed.
She emphasized the importance of self-care, adding, “I’m glad it’s all done so, I can focus on myself and my mental health. I think that is important for me”.
Reflecting on her challenging pageant journey, Adetshina opened up about the emotional toll it took.
“This journey has been so hard, and I don’t think a lot of people understood what I went through. It was overwhelming at times”, she said.
Despite the hardships, Adetshina expresses gratitude for the immense support she received from her home country and across Africa, calling it a refreshing and heartwarming experience.
In a follow-up interview, she reaffirmed her decision to quite pageantry, describing her time in the industry a traumatic.
“It’s permanent. I’ve decided I’m no longer going to do pageants. I feel like I did my best, I made myself proud, and I made Nigeria proud. It was traumatic experience for me, and I don’t think I would like to revisit this again”, she explained.
Adetshina, who earned the prestigious title of Miss Universe Africa and Oceania as the highest-placed Africa contestant, reflected on her surprising success in the Miss Universe 2024 competition.
“I didn’t think I would make it that far. I felt like I was only going to make the top 30, and I was OK with that. When I made the top 12, I was like, “Wow, I made it this far!”
“To see myself on the top two was an incredible moment. It was such a proud moment for me”.
Upon returning to Nigeria, Adetshina received a hero’s welcome and took to Instagram to express her gratitude to her supporters.
“I came, I saw, and I shook the Universe.
Returning home as Miss Universe first runner-up and Miss Universe Africa and Oceania. I’m filled with immense gratitude for Nigeria and Africa for believing in me and helping me reclaim my dreams. This is what it truly means for dreams to come true”, she wrote.
Adetshina made history, becoming the second most beautiful girl in the world, out of 127 contestants, emerging as the 1st runner-up, automatically making her Miss Africa and Oceania.
Adetshina who also thanked the Silverbird Group, Chichi Nation, and everyone who helped her on her journey, acknowledging the recognition that meant the world to her.
Chidimma Vanessa Onwe Adetshina, a Law student, was born in Soweto, South Africa, to a Nigerian father, who is of Igbo descent, and Mozambican mother.
-9News Nigeria.
