Chidimma Adetshina, the first runner-up for 2024 Miss Universe has said that she is officially done with pageantry.
The beauty queen made the announcement when she arrived Nigeria after her controversial stint at the Miss Universe.
“Honestly, I am done. Pageantry was a traumatic experience for me. I think people do not get to understand how I felt. Sometimes I was really down, I did not want to do the Miss Universe anymore…But I am really done with pageantry, I just wanna focus on myself and establish who I am and focus on my education as well.
On what she has learnt from the experience, she noted that it was the power of unity.
“I really learnt a lot about myself throughout this whole journey throughout this whole journey. I really learnt about who I really am.”
The 23-year-old’s Miss Universe journey was highly controversial as she had had to withdraw from the Miss South Africa pageant citing safety concerns.
This was after lots of South Africans had asked for her to be be taken off the competition as a result of her identity. This was in addition to her mother being accused of fraud and identity theft.
Even when she made it to the Miss Universe competition in Mexico, a South African group started a petition asking for her to be disqualified.
On how she feels about South Africa, Chidimma Adetshina noted that she held no ill feelings for the nation.
“After winning, I put that behind me. I am now a representation of not only Nigeria but Africa and that includes South Africa as well. There is no bad blood and I am really grateful for the opportunity.
Chidimma also hoped that one day, there will be no more hate or banter between the both countries.
Over the weekend, the beauty queen made history when she became the 1st runner-up for the 2024 Miss Universe.
She was also announced as Miss Universe Africa and Miss Oceania to the amazement of many.
“I’m so proud of myself and I just made history,” she said, shortly after her triumph at the pageant.
