Miss Universe 2024 runner-up Chidimma Adetshina breaks silence on to Anne Jakrajutatip’s controversial comment

Chidimma Adetshina, the first Nigerian to secure a spot in the top five of the Miss Universe pageant and its current first runner-up, has spoken out regarding a controversial statement by Miss Universe CEO Anne Jakrajutatip. The comment, which followed the crowning of Denmark's Victoria Kjær Theilvig as Miss Universe, sparked intense backlash online. However, Chidimma's perspective has surprised many.

During an interview addressing how the pageant was evolving, Jakrajutatip, a Thai businesswoman and the first transgender owner of the Miss Universe franchise made a statement that many deemed shocking. When a reporter asked about the Miss Universe evolution, Anne raised her eyebrows and exclaimed: "Evolution? We have blonde and blue eyes, so we're coming to the ultimate evolution already. We don't need any more evolution here. We already got the best here," she remarked, referencing how Victoria Kjær Theilvig is the first blonde winner in 20 years.

The comment led to widespread criticism, with beauty pageant fans and social media users labeling it tone-deaf and exclusionary. Despite many thought the remark ignored the inclusivity and diversity that pageants like Miss Universe aim to promote, Miss Universe 2024 First Runner-Up Chidimma Adetshina brushed off Jakrajutatip's comments.

 Chidimma's Response

Despite the uproar, Chidimma appeared unfazed by Jakrajutatip's words. She explained to Business Insider, "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."

Chidimma acknowledged the importance of understanding different viewpoints, even if they might not resonate with everyone. However, the beauty queen was less forgiving of Donald Trump Jr.'s tweet following Victoria's victory. Chidimma expressed her disappointment at the remark, stating, "All the queens that were crowned are so beautiful in their own different ways, so for him to make a comment like that, I feel like he was disregarding all the past queens."

Victoria Kjær Theilvig's first official visit to Asia amid controversy

Victoria Kjær Theilvig is in Thailand as part of her first official visit to Asia since winning the crown on November 16, 2024. Following her recent travels to Miami and New York, where she had an exclusive interview with HOLA! USA & Americas and lit the Empire State Building, the Danish beauty queen continues embracing her role as the global ambassador for the Miss Universe Organization.

While Denmark is not passionate about beauty pageants like many countries in Latin America and Asia, Kjær Theilvig represents her nation with dignity, even in the face of backlash, as Thai fans took to X (formerly Twitter) to voice their discontent, believing their representative, Suchata Chuangsri, was unfairly denied the crown.

Anne called the fan outrage "ridiculous" and urged critics to move past their disappointment. She emphasized that this year's system evaluates contestants' performance across the entire competition, not just the final night. "A Miss Universe should be a brand ambassador — someone personable, likable, and hardworking," Anne explained. She also reiterated that fluency in English is not mandatory, and all contestants may respond in their native language.

Despite the controversy, Victoria previously told HOLA! that as a global ambassador for Miss Universe, what excites her most about traveling is "everything." She added, "I can't wait to travel worldwide, experience different cultures, and connect with local communities. I want to offer help wherever I can. While I know I can't change the entire world, I can make a difference in small ways. If I can help just one person, that will bring me much hope."