South African singer Tyla recently took to social media to express her dismay over the treatment of Chidimma Adetshina, a former finalist in the 2024 Miss South Africa beauty pageant. Chidimma, who withdrew from the competition amid controversy surrounding her Nigerian heritage and citizenship, has been the subject of intense public scrutiny and criticism. Tyla’s tweets have brought attention to the bullying Chidimma has faced and highlighted the need for empathy and support.
Tyla’s tweet read:
“Disappointed that this happened to her, but wish you all the best girl, I will always stand with South Africa. I just feel regardless of the opinions… She was bullied and that’s what I don’t stand for.”
The Controversy Surrounding Chidimma Adetshina
Chidimma Adetshina’s journey in the Miss South Africa pageant took a sudden turn after allegations surfaced regarding her mother’s acquisition of South African citizenship. Born in South Africa to a Nigerian father of Igbo descent and a Mozambican mother, Chidimma’s diverse heritage became the focal point of a national debate, which eventually led to a government investigation. Amid the mounting pressure and concern for her family’s safety, Chidimma made the difficult decision to withdraw from the competition on August 8th.
In her announcement, Chidimma expressed gratitude for her experience in the pageant but emphasized that her family’s well-being had to come first. She wrote on Instagram:
“Being part of the Miss South Africa 2024 competition has been an amazing journey; however, after much careful consideration, I have made the difficult decision to withdraw myself from the competition for the safety and well-being of my family and me. With the support of the Miss South Africa Organisation, I leave with a heart full of gratitude for this amazing experience.”
Miss Universe Nigeria Extends an Invitation
Following Chidimma’s withdrawal, the Miss Universe Nigeria organization stepped in with a supportive gesture. Recognizing the challenges she had faced, they extended an invitation for her to participate in the Miss Universe Nigeria 2024 pageant. This opportunity would allow Chidimma to represent her father’s native land on an international stage, celebrating her Nigerian heritage.
The invitation from Miss Universe Nigeria reads:
“Dear Miss Adetshina,
We at Miss Universe Nigeria have been closely following the developments regarding your decision to bow out of the Miss South Africa beauty pageant. We acknowledge the circumstances surrounding your withdrawal and understand the challenges you may be facing.
In light of these events, we want to extend our support and encouragement. We believe that your journey in the world of pageantry is far from over and that there are still numerous opportunities for you to showcase your talent, grace, and beauty.
As a Nigerian by heritage, we would like to formally invite you to participate in the Miss Universe Nigeria 2024 pageant. This is an opportunity to represent your father’s native land on an international stage, and we believe you would be an outstanding contender. We encourage you to consider this opportunity and take part in a competition that celebrates the strength, intelligence, and diversity of Nigerian women.
Should you wish to participate, all you need to do is respond to this invitation, and we will be delighted to guide you through the next steps. We look forward to hearing from you and hope to see you continue your journey in pageantry with the Miss Universe Nigeria pageant.**”
