November 17, 2024 | 8:56 a.m.

Miss Universe Nigeria, Chidinma Adetshina, made Nigeria proud by finishing first runner-up in the 73rd Miss Universe pageant, held at the CDMX Arena, Mexico City, on Saturday, November 16, 2024. Despite past challenges that could have tarnished its brilliance. , Chidinma took to the stage with unparalleled poise, grace and determination, earning her a place…

Miss Universe Nigeria, Chidinma Adetshina, made Nigeria proud by finishing first runner-up in the 73rd Miss Universe pageant, held at the CDMX Arena, Mexico City, on Saturday, November 16, 2024.

Despite past challenges that might have dimmed her shine, Chidinma took to the stage with unparalleled composure, grace and determination, earning her a spot in the final two.

This year’s pageant saw more than 130 contestants from around the world battle it out for the coveted crown, but it was Miss Denmark, Victoria Kjaer Theilvig, who took home the title.

ALSO READ: Chidimma Adetshina finishes first runner-up for Miss Universe 2024

The reigning queen, Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua, handed the crown to Victoria to cheers and applause.

Chidinma wasn’t just a finalist; she was the only African candidate to appear in the top 12, positioning herself as a beacon of hope and excellence for the continent.

In the final round, she confidently answered the judges’ question: “Which is more important to you, to be respected or appreciated, and why?” With a pause, she responded, “I feel like it’s respected.” We live in a society where we often don’t feel respected because of who we are, and I feel like when you respect yourself, you respect others around you. Respect is very important. His words elicited loud applause from the audience.

How it went

The competition was simply intense. Participants took part in various events, from galas and tours to the National Costume Show on November 14, showcasing creativity and cultural heritage.

In the grand final, 30 competitors competed in the swimsuit event, reducing the field to 12 semi-finalists.

Chidimma dazzled during the evening gown segment, where she made it to the top five. The final hurdle was a question-and-answer session, during which the judges made their final decision.

The five finalists

1. Victoria Kjaer Theilvig – Denmark (winner)
2. Chidinma Adetshina – Nigeria (First runner-up)
3. Maria Fernanda Beltran – Mexico (second runner-up)
4. Suchata Chuangsri – Thailand (third finalist)
5. Ileana Marquez – Venezuela (fourth finalist)

Resilience

Chidinma’s journey to the world stage has not been without obstacles. Earlier this year, she withdrew from the Miss South Africa pageant following backlash over her Nigerian heritage. Despite online trolling, she remained focused and proved her mettle on the international stage.

Miss South Africa 2024 winner Mia Le Roux withdrew from Miss Universe just before the finale, citing health concerns. A statement on the official Miss Universe South Africa page confirmed her exit, leaving fans surprised as she did not appear during the preliminaries.

What makes a winner?

The path to winning Miss Universe is demanding. The competitors spent weeks in Mexico, participating in various activities leading up to the preliminaries. Fans also played a role by voting for their favorites in categories such as the Best Costume Competition.

Ultimately, the final decision depended on the contestants’ overall performance, their confidence, and how they answered the judges’ final questions.

Victoria’s victory marks Denmark’s first Miss Universe crown, while Chidinma’s performance cemented her place as a trailblazer for Nigerian beauty queens.