“South Africans Rejected Me Because Of My Name” – Chidimma Adetshina Says Amidst Tears [Video]

Chidimma Adetshina, who was recently crowned Miss Universe Nigeria, has explained why she decided to withdraw from South Africa’s beauty pageant.

Chidimma Adetshina’s participation in the Miss South Africa pageant sparked controversy because of her Nigerian background, leading to a lot of criticism from South Africans.

The model, who was born in 2001 in Soweto at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, eventually chose to step back from the competition.

In an interview with Silverbird TV, Chidimma said that she wasn’t accepted by some South Africans because of her Igbo name.

The 23-year-old model described her experience at the pageant as “horrible and heartbreaking.”

She explained, “It all started because of my name. People were not happy that my name is Chidimma and I am representing South Africa.

“South Africans felt like I wasn’t South African enough because of my name. It was really sad to see and it was a very horrible experience that I wouldn’t wish it on anybody.”

Chidimma mentioned that she has lived in South Africa for 23 years, and it was painful to feel unaccepted.

She hinted at some incidents behind the scenes that led her to withdraw from the contest just before the final round.

“I have lived there for 23 years and it’s heartbreaking to see that I wasn’t welcomed and accepted. There were certain things that happened behind the scenes that made me withdraw.

“It was heartbreaking that I had to withdraw close to the finale but a decision had to be made and it really hit social media as well.

“But what I know is that I was born in South Africa and I am a South African. I am still proudly Nigerian as well,* she said.

Chidimma also admitted that she has been struggling with the emotions from this experience and plans to seek therapy.

“It’s just not a nice feeling, I think I’ve been avoiding it a lot and only now it’s started to cloud me. It’s something I will work on and see a therapist because I feel like I have been suppressing my emotions… because of what has happened… it wasn’t a minor thing, it was actually really major”, she concluded.

Watch the video below:

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“South Africans felt I wasn’t South African enough because of my name…. I had lived there for 23 years. It’s heartbreaking to see I wasn’t welcome and accepted”

The moment Miss Universe Nigeria, Chidimma Vanessa Onwe Adetshina broke down during an interview. pic.twitter.com/y934hLuc5b

— @𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗷𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗯𝗼𝘆 (@OneJoblessBoy) September 3, 2024

KanyiDaily recalls that Chidimma Adetshina was recently crowned Miss Universe Nigeria 2024 at Eko Hotels & Suites in Lagos.