Why I broke down in tears — Chidinma Adetshina, Miss Universe Nigeria 2024

In this interview, with BBC News Pidgin, which we monitored in Lagos, Newly
crowned Miss Universe Nigeria 2024, Chidimma Adetshina shares the story of her journey from Miss South Africa to Miss Universe Nigeria 2024. She also talks about what motivated her to accept to participate in the pageant among other things.

You won the Miss Universe Nigeria crown in 2024, how does that make you feel?

I feel excited, it’s an honour to be wearing this crown. I am so excited and I am proud of myself as well.

What was going through your mind at the moment you were standing on the stage and your name was announced as the winner?

Throughout the whole day, I was anxious and nervous. I couldn’t focus on anything. When the competition started progressing, anxiety started tickling in. And just before they announced the winner, I said ‘thank God’ , I’m going home, I have made it. When they called my name, I had a sense of relief and accomplishment. I cannot explain how I felt , but it was a very powerful moment for me.

It was very difficult to read your feelings at that moment?

I was so excited I just had this overwhelming feeling and I broke down in tears. I’m always near tears. But I enjoyed myself at that moment as well.

Why did you decide to accept the invitation from the organizers to participate in the pageant? Why was it important for you to be part of the competition?

I have always wanted to be a pageant girl. It was in 2017 that I was actually aware of the world of pageant. I’m not sure I was really intrigued. Though I was not really educated on what it meant to be a queen. So, in 2022, I got accepted into the pageant world.I’m like a goal setter. If I set a goal for myself I try to motivate myself to achieve it.

And being Miss Universe Nigeria 2024, is something I have always wanted to achieve. That was why I motivated myself to try again in 2024. I made it to the top 13, and so, I was excited at that moment. I wasn’t thinking of Miss Universe. I’m just like I’m so proud of myself because it’s really not easy to take action especially when you have set a big goal for yourself. I should be proud of myself. But then, throughout the course of that journey, I kept thanking God as I started getting better.

I started feeling that I’m getting closer to reaching that goal. I was able to reach there, but unfortunately, I had to withdraw from the pageant. And Silverbird reached out to me , having seen the potential in me.

At first, they didn’t want to accept me. But then, I have always wanted this. I’m a go-getter. You what! I said maybe, I should give it a second chance. And that was the reason I accepted the invitation.

How do you respond to the reactions that trailed your inclusion in the Miss Universe Nigeria 2024?

It wasn’t really easy. The girls are really competitive as they showcased themselves on the grand finale. There was not much difference. I had my points . And at the end of the day, I had my own journey,I was going through the process, as well. Though there might be a slight difference. Maybe, they felt I didn’t go through the process that they went through.

Talking about the journey that you had to withdraw from the Miss South Africa pageant?

It was an emotional one for me. It wasn’t a nice feeling for me. It’s as if something clouds me and it’s affecting me. It’s something that is affecting my emotions. What happened is not as if it was a minor thing, but it was really a major issue. I will be fine.

Has winning the crown changed anything for you, especially what you went through to be where you are today?

I don’t think anything has changed for me. I still see myself partly as a South African and partly as a Nigerian. It’s just a little bias about me, which I feel shouldn’t be.

Is this your first time in Nigeria?

This is my second time in Nigeria. I’m really enjoying myself here. I’m staying here longer. I’m going to explore more and know more about Nigerians. I really experienced Nigeria at a very young age. I probably wouldn’t remember everything. I feel now I will learn a lot about Nigeria.

How do you feel going to represent Nigeria at the Miss Universe 2025 in Mexico?

I’m so excited. I’m really looking forward to representing Nigeria in Mexico. I can’t wait to storm Mexico. I feel it’s a delayed process that has cancelled my emotion. I don’t feel any emotion any more.

The post Why I broke down in tears — Chidinma Adetshina, Miss Universe Nigeria 2024 appeared first on Vanguard News.