Talk about a comeback! Former Miss South Africa hopeful Chidimma Vanessa Onwe Adetshina won the Miss Nigeria Universe pageant over the weekend. 

Adetshina, who was forced to withdraw from the Miss SA pageant in August due to allegations that her mother had committed identity fraud, received and accepted an invitation to compete in the pageant last month. 

Speaking to the BBC, Adetshina, 23, said that she had been “suppressing her emotions” throughout the xenophobic backlash against her participation in the Miss SA pageant. “It’s something I will work on and see a therapist because I feel like I have been suppressing my emotions… because what has happened… it wasn’t a minor thing, it was actually really major,” she said 😢

While there has been a backlash in Nigeria over her entering the pageant in its final stages, many were happy to see her win. Adetshina has also decided to stay in Nigeria indefinitely, saying she wants to explore Nigeria. “I’m not even looking forward to going back. I just want to explore more. I want to stay longer and see what happens next,” she said.

Miss Nigeria Universe also introduced the world to Ufa Dania, a participant from Kwara State. Dania, the first plus-size contestant to enter the pageant, quickly became a fan favourite. In her thank-you message on Instagram, Dania said that while the pageant is over, her life is just beginning. “I’m so grateful for everyone who supported me on this journey. God bless you for your labour of love. I’m excited to see how and where my life goes moving forward,” she said. 

Adetshina will be Nigeria’s representative at the Miss Universe pageant, where she will compete against beauty queens from across the world, including our very own Mia le Roux, who won this year’s Miss South Africa contest.

While xenophobes in South Africa might have bullied Adetshina into quitting, it’s quite a rare feat and such a South African thing to have two South African queens heading to Miss Universe, which will be held in Mexico City, Mexico in November. We have two countries to root for this year!