Next weekend in faraway Mexico, Nigeria’s representative in this year’s Miss Universe contest, Chidinma Adetshina, will be fulfilling her childhood ambition of featuring in the glamourous global show.
The journey as she noted in a social media video has been tortuous and discouraging but the quest to wear the golden crown has kept firing her on.
“My mind says I’m tired, I can’t do it anymore, but my heart is saying don’t give up.
“This journey hasn’t been easy for me mentally and emotionally. The tears, the pain, the trauma,” she said.
Indeed, the beauty queen had passed through thick and thin to get this far.
Some months back, she was nearly disgraced by the South African government, when her South African identity was queried.
In fact, her problem started when she became a finalist in the Miss South Africa pageant only to face backlash over her eligibility due to her Mozambican and Nigerian heritage.
In her recent video on social media, she opened up about her challenging journey to the upcoming Miss Universe contest in Mexico.
“This journey hasn’t been easy for me mentally and emotionally. The tears, the pain, the trauma.
“The days I felt like giving up, the days I felt unworthy and undeserving. However I refuse to let anyone or anything dim my vision.”
Born to a Nigerian father and Mozambican mother, Adetshina’s journey to the Miss Universe competition has dominated headlines.
After that, she joined the Miss Universe Nigeria pageant and was crowned the winner, representing Taraba State. She is set to represent Nigeria at the Miss Universe event on November 16.
She said she has dreamt of walking the Miss Universe stage since 2017.
“Seven years later, I, Chidimma Vanessa Onwe Adetshina will be walking the Miss Universe stage. Win or not I am so proud of myself and filled with so much joy and fulfillment for I am about to accomplish what once seemed impossible. I envisioned this moment and I’m about to make it a reality.
“This achievement is not only mine but it’s for Nigeria, it’s for Africa. Your support and encouragement have been the fuel to my fire.”
As Adetshina prepares to take the stage in Mexico, she’s been sharing updates about her journey on social media, from stunning photos to day-to-day activities leading up to the final.