Reality TV star Phyna has sparked controversy by questioning the inclusion of Chidinma Adetshina, a model of Nigerian and Mozambican heritage, in the Miss Universe Nigeria 2024 beauty pageant. Adetshina was invited to participate after withdrawing from the Miss South Africa 2024 contest due to scrutiny over her nationality.
Phyna expressed concerns that Adetshina’s participation could negatively impact the chances of “typical Nigerian queens” in the pageant, advising her to take a break from pageantry. However, her comments have been met with backlash, with many criticizing her views as unfair and unsupportive.
The controversy highlights debates around representation, identity, and inclusivity in beauty pageants. Burna Boy, a Grammy-winning Nigerian singer, has also weighed in, mocking South Africans for bullying Adetshina and praising her decision to compete in the Miss Universe Nigeria pageant.