Miss SA 2024 Mia Le Roux has congratulated Chidimma Adetshina on her crowning as Miss Universe Nigeria over the weekend.
The beauty queens – who were friends and fellow contestants at the local pageant – will meet again at the Miss Universe finale in November.
Just three weeks ago, Chidimma – whose father is Nigerian and mother is Mozambican – stepped down from Miss SA pending an investigation by the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) into possible identity fraud. Days later, she accepted an invitation to participate in the Nigerian pageant.
Her win has since sparked controversy amongst Nigerians.
On her Instagram Story, Miss SA Mia Le Roux sent a special shout-out to Chidimma Adetshina.
“Congratulations on your win! I will see you in Mexico”, the partially deaf title-holder said of her now pageant rival.
In recent weeks, Mia has defended Chidimma against critics amid a DHA investigation.
Speaking to Newzroom Afrika, Mia claimed that Chidimma did not deserve to receive the hate on social media.
She said: “It was extremely hard for us because each one of us personally knows and loves Chichi. We truly believe that she did not deserve it, as we know she’s phenomenal, powerful, and beautiful in her own right. She deserved her spot on Miss South Africa.
Responding to Chidimma’s critics, the Miss SA queen said, “I stand for unity. I do not stand for people being divided. So, I do think we can do better in that aspect to support and include one another. Because she was excluded, and that is not okay.”
The 73rd Miss Universe pageant will held in Mexico on 16 November 2024.
Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua will crown her successor at the end of the event.
