Chidimma Adetshina is first runner-up

Nigeria’s magnificence queen, Chidimma Adetshina, has emerged the primary runner-up on the keenly contested Miss Universe 2024 pageant.

Victoria Kjær Theilvig from Denmark was topped Miss Universe, making historical past as the primary Dane to win.

Miss Thelvig, a 21-year-old entrepreneur, beat 126 different contestants and now takes over from her predecessor, Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua.

The ceremony was held on the Area CDMX in Mexico Metropolis on Sunday morning. Individuals got here from over 126 international locations, making this yr’s occasion essentially the most aggressive in its historical past.

The pageant started with 30 contestants shortlisted from Thursday’s preliminaries. It featured a putting nationwide costume contest. Semi-finalists competed in swimwear, narrowing the sector to 12 for the night robe spherical.

Mexico’s María Fernanda Beltrán secured the second runner-up place, adopted by Suchata Chuangsri of Thailand and Ileana Márquez of Venezuela, who made the Prime 5.

The competitors additionally highlighted the Prime 12 contestants who had been from Argentina, Bolivia, Canada, Chile, Peru, Puerto Rico, and Russia.

Additionally, the Prime 30 included representatives from Aruba, Cambodia, China, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Finland, France, India, Japan, Macau, Malaysia, Nicaragua, the Philippines, Serbia, Vietnam, and Zimbabwe.

These rankings had been decided via jury choice and world viewers votes.

Highlights

The grand finale, hosted by Mario Lopez and former Miss Universe Olivia Culpo, featured performances by Robin Thicke. The ultimate 5 contestants fielded questions on numerous matters, together with management and resilience. Throughout the Q&A spherical, Ms Adetshina was quizzed by Decide Michael Cinco and requested what she selected between respect and recognition.

The 23-year-old legislation scholar acknowledged, “I really feel like being revered. We stay in a society the place we frequently don’t really feel revered due to who we’re, and I really feel that after we respect ourselves, we robotically respect individuals round us. Respect is essential.”

Denmark’s queen, Ms Theilvig, was additionally requested, “Miss Universe has impressed generations of girls; what’s your one message to girls on the market watching you?”

The aspiring lawyer mentioned, “My message to all is that irrespective of the place you come from or your previous, you may at all times select to show it into your energy. It might by no means outline who you’re; you must preserve preventing. I stand right here right now, and I wish to make historical past.”

In an Instagram submit, the Miss Universe organisers shared the ultimate moments, writing, “The ultimate two! Nigeria and Denmark, two unbelievable girls, one unforgettable second.”

Historic yr

The 2024 version unveiled the “Lumière de l’Infini” crown, adorned with diamonds and 23 golden South Sea pearls.

Whereas Nigeria has but to win the coveted crown, Ms Adetshina’s Miss Universe feat is harking back to Agbani Darego’s historic Miss World win in 2001.

Ms Adetshina’s first runner-up end at Miss Universe 2024 now marks Nigeria’s closest achievement but, solidifying its standing as a powerful contender in world pageantry.

The Nigerian magnificence queen was ranked within the prime three in pre-arrival polls for Miss Universe 2024.

Though Nigeria has not gained the award, different African international locations have achieved historic wins at Miss Universe, like Zozibini Tunzi (2019), Demi-Leigh Tebow (2017, South Africa), Leila Lopes (2011, Angola), and Mpule Kwelagobe (1999, Botswana). Globally, The US leads Miss Universe with 9 wins, whereas Venezuela follows with seven victories.

The 2024 contest additionally marked a number of firsts. For the primary time in its 72-year historical past, Miss Universe allowed girls over 28 to compete, with Malta’s Beatrice Njoya turning into the primary finalist in her 40s. This alteration and the lifting of bans on married or pregnant girls replicate the pageant’s efforts to modernise amid rising requires inclusivity.

Till her withdrawal, South Africa’s Mia Le Roux, 28, was her nation’s first deaf magnificence queen. The debut of nations like Eritrea, Guinea, Iran, and Somalia added contemporary views to the pageant.

Recognitions

On the Miss Universe build-up contest, particular awards got after the preliminary occasion to recognise contestants and nationwide administrators. Jenelle Thongs from Trinidad and Tobago gained Miss Congeniality for her pleasant persona, whereas Stephanie Cam from Honduras obtained the Greatest Pores and skin Award. Emilia Dides from Chile was honoured with the Folks’s Selection Award for receiving essentially the most public help.

The competitors additionally recognised excellent nationwide administrators and pageant organisations. Dennis Dávila of Miss Universe Canada gained the Greatest Nationwide Director award, Nguyễn Thị Hương Ly of Miss Universe Vietnam earned the Greatest Nationwide Pageant award, and Jonas Gaffud of Miss Universe Philippines obtained the Greatest Nationwide Host Tour Nation award.

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Yizette Cifredo of Miss Universe Puerto Rico was honoured with the Past the Crown Award for her constructive affect on the competitors. The “Voice for Change” competitors additionally highlighted contestants’ advocacies, with Juliana Barrientos from Bolivia, Davin Prasath from Cambodia, and Ana Gabriela Villanueva from Guatemala profitable gold and 7 others receiving silver awards.

Adetshina’s hard-fought success

Ms Adetshina’s journey was marred by controversies within the build-up to this yr’s remaining after questions on her nationality sparked a wave of backlash and xenophobic hostility in South Africa. Born in Soweto to a Nigerian father and a Mozambican mom – now naturalised South African – Ms Adetshina grew up in Cape City and is at present a 300-level legislation scholar.

Initially, she entered Miss South Africa 2024 however withdrew after an investigation into her mom’s South African citizenship raised issues about potential fraud and identification theft. Following this, Ms Adetshina accepted Nigeria’s pageant invite and was topped Miss Universe Nigeria 2024 in August.

Regardless of the scrutiny, she garnered public help, with Nigeria’s approval. After the continued investigation, South Africa’s Division of Dwelling Affairs revoked her South African identification papers in October. Nonetheless, the Nigerian magnificence queen is now a worldwide title holder.