Introduction

In a recent Miss Universe competition, CEO Anne Jakrajutatip stirred the pot with her comments regarding the winner, Victoria Kjaer Theilvig, praising her blond hair and blue eyes as the 'ultimate evolution' of the pageant. This statement left many in the beauty community divided, with some feeling it undermined the diverse representation the competition has strived for over the years.

Chidimma Adetshina's Response

In an interview with Business Insider, Miss Universe first runner-up Chidimma Adetshina, who etched her name in history as the first Miss Nigeria to make it to the top five, shared her thoughts on the controversy. Surprisingly, she stated, 'I'm not really offended by it. Maybe that's just her perspective; maybe that’s how she felt about the evolution of Miss Universe.' Her ability to separate personal feelings from professional criticism highlights a significant aspect of pageantry—the resilience and diversity of experiences among contestants.

Disappointment in Traditional Beauty Comments

However, Adetshina did express disappointment with remarks made by Donald Trump Jr., who celebrated traditional beauty standards in a post on X after the pageant. He commented, 'Biological & objectively attractive women are allowed to win beauty pageants again. WE ARE SO BACK.' Adetshina found Trump Jr.'s comments to be dismissive of the advancements towards inclusivity that the pageant has achieved, stating, 'For him to make a comment like that, I feel like he was disregarding all the past queens.' This underscores the ongoing struggle within beauty pageants to balance traditional standards of beauty with the push for broader representation.

Evolution of the Pageant

Jakrajutatip, who took the helm of Miss Universe in October 2022, had previously promised to modernize the brand for a new generation. The pageant began allowing married women and mothers to compete in 2023, as well as permitting participants over 28 years old. This shift reflects an evolving understanding of beauty and community, as noted by Adetshina, who praised the inclusion of many historic contestants in this year's competition. 'I feel like they have done a lot this year,' she remarked. 'We really had the year of breaking stereotypes and just being so inclusive.'

Concerns Over Inclusivity

Yet challenges remain. A leaked video from an October staff meeting revealed Jakrajutatip suggesting that while diverse contestants could compete, they were not expected to win, sparking backlash and concern over inclusivity. Jakrajutatip later clarified that these comments were in the context of a potential reality show and not the competition itself.

Hope for Recognition

As discussions swirl around the future of Miss Universe, Adetshina hopes the focus returns to the hard work and commitment of the beauty queens. 'I really wish more people knew what beauty queens go through because each and every one of us has a different journey,' she advocated.

Adetshina's Personal Journey

Adetshina's path to the Miss Universe stage was no easy feat. After experiencing xenophobic online attacks regarding her Nigerian heritage while competing in Miss South Africa, she withdrew from the contest only to be invited to represent Nigeria. This adversity not only shaped her journey but also enriched her advocacy for beauty queens everywhere. 'People underestimate beauty queens,' she said. 'It's not just about the crown and the walk; we get to empower and inspire a lot of people.'

Conclusion

The Miss Universe pageant encapsulates a rich tapestry of experiences and aspirations. As reactions to Jakrajutatip's comments continue to emerge, it is clear that the conversation about beauty, identity, and representation is far from over.