Before the crowning of Chidinma Adetshina as Miss Universe Nigeria 2024, social media users engaged in a war of words, with many hailing her last minute inclusion in the just concluded pageant, while others kicked against it.
Chidinma was crowned Miss Universe Nigeria 2024, last Saturday in a manner that left many in awe and disbelief. Her journey to clinching the crown was marked by controversy and an unexpected comeback.
The 23-year-old law student was invited by the organizers of Miss Universe Nigeria 2024 to participate in the pageant, after she was forced to withdraw from contesting in the Miss South Africa pageant.
Born in Soweto, South Africa, to a Nigerian father, Chidinma withdrew from the pageant, following allegations of identity fraud against her mother which surfaced, forcing her to pull out of the contest last month for the safety of her family.
Fortunately, her story changed last Saturday, when she clinched the Miss Universe Nigeria 2024 title. But her victory didn't go down well with many social media users who believed that the organizers brought Chidinma into the contest primarily to hand over the crown to her apparently on sympathy.
Taking to the comment session of #Miss Universe Nigeria 2024, on Instagram, some of the users, mostly South Africans expressed their anger and frustration.
One of them, halalamasiya accused the organizers of flying Chidinma into the country to honour her with the crown. "Flew her over to give her the crown. What an interesting country," he wrote on IG.
Another social media user, marveyr, expressed concerns that other contestants went through the due process which Chidinma didn't experience. "Other contestants actually went through due process, auditioned and you people gave the crown to someone who didn't even choose to represent you in the first place. Is that a way of telling the other girls that they're not good enough? Even when you announced the top 5, you guys only played Chidimma's video. How does that make sense? What message are you trying to pass across to young and aspiring girls? Is the crown meant for pity?", marveyr queried.
Stephannie wrote, "After that top 5 video, I expected this. A clear reason Nigeria never goes far internationally."
According to dimplebeauty, the crown was rigged the moment Chidinma returned to the country.
"The owner of the pageant knew what he was doing. I feel sorry for the other ladies though...All those weeks of preparation."
"I'm sure she doesn't even know the 36 states of the federation," wrote augustee_na.
Seeking0 said that there was no competition at all. "You basically invited this girl to win. In camp, she was treated differently. She came late to rehearsals, was pampered, the organizers paid for her costumes and everything. And she was prepared ahead of others," Seeking O alleged.
For tosin_durojaiye, there is nothing to write home about the pageant.
"@missuniverseng sorry but this is nonsense. What about the stress the other ladies went through to get to the point they are? Duroyaiye asked.
However, some social media users believed that Chidinma deserved the crown.
South Africa's eveaboka argued that Chidinma's story is for the books.
"I'm from South Africa and rooting for her. Congratulations Chichi for well deserved victory," he wrote.
On his own, tikklerr said Chidima brought more visibility to this competition worldwide, while sawuroyalbeauty said she deserved the crown. "Well deserved winner. All hail the queen," wrote Vivian darego. Viviandarego was convinced that the judges made the right choice by choosing Chichi as the Miss Universe 2024. "If I were to be one of the judges, I would also choose her. From head to toe, Chichi is a Miss Universe material.
Adding his voice,
musawuroyalbeauty said, "She deserved it. I'm neither a Nigerian nor SA. I'm American and I just know she is what Miss Universe is looking for. Congratulations to all the other contestants as well. You are also winners by fighting for your advocacies. This is the moment you all should show the sisterhood support to ChiChi and work together as one to make a change in Nigeria. I've read so many negative comments from some of the Nigerians about ChiChi because you have your preferences. It's sad to see that SA is throwing shades at her and some Nigerians are also doing the same thing. Let peace, acceptance and unity reign among you for the world to see.."
In a touching speech after announcing her as winner of the pageant, Chidinma described her victory as a call to action. "I wear this crown with so much pride and I would make Nigeria proud as well," she said. She will be representing Nigeria at the Miss Universe pageant in Mexico next year.
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