Adetshina addresses identity theft claim, says she earned Miss Universe Nigeria win

Chidimma Adetshina, the recently crowned Miss Universe Nigeria, has finally addressed the claims of identity theft in South Africa.

Chidimma was born in 2001 in Soweto at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital. Her father is of Igbo descent while some reports said her mother is a Mozambican who had become a naturalized citizen of South Africa.

The model sparked controversy during this year’s Miss South Africa pageant due to her nationality.

This led to a surge of criticism on social media, particularly from South Africans. Chidimma would later withdraw from the Miss South Africa contest.

Her withdrawal came after the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) for South Africa alleged that preliminary evidence suggests Chidimma’s mother may have committed fraud and identity theft.

Speaking on the matter in an Arise TV interview, the 23-year-old denied any wrongdoing, saying “I didn’t steal anyone’s identity”.

The young woman, however, declined to elaborate, citing ongoing investigations and concerns about potential contradictions.

“I did not steal anyone’s identity. Obviously I am still waiting on the conclusion of the whole case and matter, then moving forward, I will know exactly what to say,” she said.

“Because I feel like now if I say something and something comes out tomorrow, it could be like but you said this then something else. I am just avoiding all those two things contradicting one another.”

On August 14, the model accepted the invitation to participate in this year’s Miss Universe Nigeria pageant. She was recently crowned winner of the pageant.

Speaking on her victory, Chidimma also dismissed insinuations that she won the Miss Universe Nigeria pageant “out of pity”.

She argued that she went through the same rigorous experience as all contestants, adding that “I worked hard to earn my title”.

“A lot of people felt like it was a pity win and I do not think so. I feel like I really worked hard. Coming from the SA journey, we spent 10 weeks in camp,” she said.

“It might have been a slight difference but I feel like, if we have to look at the journey that we have all been through, I feel like I had the same experience that they did.”