Chidimma Adetshina, the newly crowned Miss Universe Nigeria, has made history by becoming the first runner-up at the 73rd Miss Universe pageant.
The grand finale of the Miss Universe 2024 beauty pageant ended in Mexico City on Sunday morning, with Miss Denmark Victoria Kjaer Theilvig taking home the crown.
Theilvig defeated Adetshina in the final, while contestants from Bolivia, Mexico, Venezuela, Argentina, Puerto Rico, Russia, Chile, Thailand, Canada and Peru also made it to the top 12.
Chidimma’s journey to the top was remarkable. She impressed judges and the audience with her thoughtful answers on diversity and human respect.
Initially, she made it to the top 30 finalists and gradually rose to the top five contenders, ultimately securing the top two spots alongside Theilvig.
Theilvig, however, took over the crown from Miss Universe 2023 Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua.
Chidimma’s feat means she is the first Nigerian woman to take the second spot — following in the footsteps of Agbani Darego was a contestant at Miss Universe 2001.
Darego became the first Nigerian to place among the top 10 semi-finalists, finishing seventh overall.
Agbani Darego holds Nigeria’s #MissUniverse record with a top 10 finish in 2001. Can Chidinma Adetshina break this record tonight?
Agbani won Miss World later that year becoming the first and only African to hold the position till date.
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— CableLifestyle (@CableLifestyle) November 17, 2024
Chidimma’s path to Miss Universe was not without controversy. Born to a Nigerian father and Mozambican mother, she faced criticism and withdrew from the Miss South Africa pageant due to her nationality.
However, Silverbird Group, organisers of Miss Universe Nigeria, invited her to participate, and she was crowned the pageant’s winner.