Nigerian-South African beauty queen, Chidimma Adetshina, recently opened up about the personal challenges she faced throughout her pageantry career.

In an interview on the Big Friday Show, hosted by Big Brother Naija star Tacha, Chidimma shared her struggles with identity issues rooted in her dual nationality, revealing how it shaped her journey in the beauty world.

When asked about her decision to fully commit to pageantry, Chidimma explained that her passion for the industry had been growing over time.

Although she only began pursuing it seriously in recent years, the dream to become Miss Universe has been with her since 2017.

She expressed her gratitude for the opportunities she’s received, stating, “I am so happy to have been given a platform to chase my dream and, hopefully, make it a reality.”

Chidimma also shared the emotional toll the experience has taken on her, particularly regarding her identity crisis. Reflecting on her struggles, she admitted there were times when she felt overwhelmed, often crying herself to sleep.

Despite the hardship, she managed to reframe her outlook, eventually viewing these obstacles as stepping stones to future success.

The interview comes after Chidimma’s withdrawal from the Miss South Africa pageant, which was clouded by controversy.

Her mother was allegedly involved in a case of fraud and identity theft, leading to further scrutiny from the South African Home Office.

The situation cast a shadow over Chidimma’s participation and led to harsh criticism following her announcement as a contestant.

Despite the setbacks, Chidimma’s journey took a new turn when the Silverbird Group extended an invitation for her to compete in the Miss Universe Nigeria pageant.

She eagerly accepted, seeing it as a fresh opportunity to continue pursuing her dream and further solidify her place in the pageantry world.