South African Nationality Beauty Queen Takes Miss Universe Runner Up – Representing Nigeria | World news

A beauty queen who was at the center of a string of citizenships in South Africa has come second in the Miss Universe pageant – representing Nigeria.

Chidimma Adetshina sparked controversy earlier this year after she tried to compete for Miss South Africa.

Although she holds South African citizenship, due to her father being Nigerian, her participation in the competition raised questions and she later dropped out.

She was then invited to compete for Miss Universe Nigeria – a beauty pageant to determine who would represent the country in the Miss Universe pageant.

Adetshina won it, and at the Miss Universe competition at the weekend, the 23-year-old finished second to Denmark’s Victoria Kjær Theilvig.

It is the first time that a Danish contestant has been named Miss Universe.

Miss Denmark Victoria Kjær Theilvig has been named the winner of Miss Universe 2024
Picture:
Miss Denmark Victoria Kjær Theilvig was crowned Miss Universe. Picture: AP

Miss Mexico finished in third place.

Miss South Africa – Mia Le Roux – dropped out of the competition citing health problems.

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‘It gives fun vibes’

When Adetshina ran for Miss South Africa this summer, some people, including a minister, opposed her entry because of her heritage, sparking a national row.

South Africa’s Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, waded into the controversy, writing on X: “We really can’t have Nigerians competing in our Miss SA pageant. I want all the facts before I comment but it’s already giving off fun vibes.”

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The nation’s home affairs officials became involved after the Miss South Africa organizers asked the department to investigate Adetshina’s nationality.

They discovered that her mother “may have” committed “fraud and identity theft” but “Adetshina could not have participated in her mother’s alleged illegal acts as she was an infant at the time”.

The department also said it was investigating whether the allegations could affect Adetshina’s citizenship status.

Adetshina pulled out of the competition for the “safety and well-being” of herself and her family.