The current Miss Universe Nigeria, Chidimma Adetshina, recently opened up about the reasons behind her decision to delete her Twitter account. This move followed the backlash she received related to the controversy surrounding her nationality and her Miss Universe Nigeria win. The negative responses from social media users became overwhelming, leading her to make this tough decision to protect her well-being.
In a candid interview on Arise 360, Chidimma, who is of Nigerian and South African descent, shared how the pressure and negativity from the online community started affecting her mental health. The situation escalated after her withdrawal from the Miss South Africa pageant, which occurred following accusations from the South African Home Office that her mother was involved in a prima facie case of fraud and identity theft. This controversy added to the challenges she was already facing, and the backlash intensified online.
Speaking further, the beauty queen explained that the constant influx of negative comments became too much for her to handle. As someone who habitually reads comments, she found herself spending up to 80% of her day consumed by the online feedback, which quickly became toxic. Despite using other social media platforms like Instagram, she found it necessary to limit her interaction by restricting her comment section at one point. The decision to delete her Twitter account ultimately provided her with a sense of relief from the negativity.
Chidimma also expressed her gratitude towards her fans who have continued to support her despite the challenges. However, she acknowledged the risks that come with publicly supporting her, noting that even her supporters face backlash. “Sometimes there are people in the comment section saying, ‘I really like you but I don’t want to put my feelings out there,’ and it’s valid because when people support me, they get dragged. I don’t want people to go through something like that for supporting me,” she said, showing her concern for those who stand by her.
The interview highlighted the toll that social media can take on public figures, especially when facing controversies. Chidimma's experience serves as a reminder of the importance of mental health and the need to step back from toxic environments when necessary. Despite the challenges, she remains grateful for the love and support from her fans and is focused on maintaining her well-being.
