Miss Universe 2024 witnessed a breathtaking celebration of African heritage as Chidimma Adetshina, representing Nigeria, commanded international attention with her interpretation of traditional royal regalia during the cultural attire segment on November 14, 2024. Fashion experts and cultural historians have lauded Adetshina’s ensemble for its masterful fusion of traditional and contemporary elements, featuring intricate patterns in a rich palette of black, gold, and red that draw from centuries of West African textile traditions.
“The design speaks to generations of African craftsmanship,” notes Dr. Sarah Henderson, professor of Fashion History at Lagos University. “Each element tells a story of cultural continuity and innovation.” The centerpiece of Adetshina’s presentation was an architectural marvel: a golden crown-like structure incorporating traditional African combs arranged in a radiant pattern, interwoven with black and white beads. This striking headpiece, complemented by a dramatic choker of cream-colored beads, pays homage to the regalia of ancient African queens while making a contemporary statement about beauty and identity.
Among 90 international contestants, Adetshina’s presence at Miss Universe 2024 represents more than just national pride. Her journey to the competition highlights the evolving nature of global beauty pageants and cross-cultural representation. The path to Miss Universe has demonstrated Adetshina’s resilience. After facing eligibility challenges in one competition, she found support from the Miss Nigeria organization, who recognized her potential to represent the nation’s values and beauty ideals.
The significance of Adetshina’s participation extends beyond the competition itself. Her appearance has sparked meaningful discussions about cultural representation in international pageants. Social media engagement around her cultural costume presentation has been overwhelming, with fashion and culture enthusiasts worldwide sharing and discussing the meaningful elements of her attire. “What we’re seeing is a powerful demonstration of how traditional elements can be reimagined for a global stage while maintaining their cultural integrity,” says Fashion Week correspondent Maya Thompson.
As the competition unfolds, Adetshina continues to demonstrate that beauty pageants can serve as platforms for cultural dialogue and understanding. Her presentation reminds us that in today’s interconnected world, celebrating one’s heritage creates bridges of understanding across cultures. Industry experts suggest that this could mark a significant shift in how traditional elements are incorporated into international pageantry, potentially influencing future contestants’ approaches to cultural representation.
About the author
Ferry Services Resume After Six Weeks of Disruption, But Delays Hit Holyhead Reopening
Ferry services to and from Holyhead Port have resumed after being disrupted for over six weeks due to damage sustained during Storm Darragh in early December. The storm caused significant damage to terminals 3 and 5 at the Welsh port, with terminal 5 operating on a temporary basis upon reopening. The Irish Ferries ship WB Yeats arrived in Dublin Port from Holyhead this morning, marking the resumption of services. However, the initial restart was not without problems. Ger Hyland, President of the Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA), reported a three-hour delay for the second ferry from Dublin to Holyhead due to an electrical fault at the port. Hyland expressed concern about the port's readiness, citing the large backlog of freight on the Welsh side. He emphasized the potential for "huge disaster" for the haulage sector, passengers, and Ireland's imports […]
Conor McGregor Named in Civil Lawsuit Alleging Sexual Assault at NBA Finals
Conor McGregor, the mixed martial arts fighter and former UFC champion, is facing a civil lawsuit alleging sexual assault at the Kaseya Center (formerly FTX Arena and American Airlines Arena) in Miami during the NBA Finals on June 9, 2023. The plaintiff alleges that McGregor assaulted her in a bathroom at the venue and is seeking unspecified damages from both McGregor and the Miami Heat Limited Partnership, the arena's ownership group. McGregor has denied the allegations through a spokesperson, dismissing them as a "shakedown." While the Miami Police Department initiated an investigation following a report filed on June 11, 2023, the Florida State Attorney’s Office declined to file criminal charges in October 2023. This declination does not preclude the pursuit of a civil suit, which has a different standard of proof than criminal proceedings. The lawsuit also details […]
Hollyoaks ‘Bad Boy’ Paul Danan Dies at 46
Paul Danan, best known for his role as Sol Patrick in the British soap opera Hollyoaks, has died at the age of 46, his management has confirmed. Danan portrayed the "bad boy" character on the Channel 4 show from 1997 to 2001 and subsequently became a familiar face on reality television. Independent Creative Management shared a statement with the PA news agency, expressing their sadness at Danan's passing and describing him as "a beacon of light to so many." They requested privacy for his family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time. Beyond Hollyoaks, Danan participated in the reality dating show Celebrity Love Island in both 2005 and 2006. He also appeared on Celebrity Big Brother (Channel 5) in 2017, where he was an early evictee and expressed hope that the show would revive his career. He frequently […]
Bandits Kill Three Telecom Workers in Kebbi State
Four people were killed in a bandit attack at a telecommunications construction site near the Nigeria-Niger border, Kebbi State police confirmed Saturday. The victims included three Airtel Communications employees and one local resident. The attack occurred on January 10 at approximately 8:47 pm in Gumki village, Arewa Local Government Area, where the workers were installing a surveillance mast for the Nigeria Immigration Service. The attackers, identified as suspected members of the Lakurawa bandit group, targeted the construction site. Kebbi State Police Commissioner Bello Sani and Immigration Service Comptroller Muhammad Bashir Lawali responded immediately to the incident, overseeing the transfer of victims' bodies to Sir Yahaya Memorial Hospital in Birnin Kebbi. In response to the attack, the Police Commissioner has strengthened security in the area by deploying additional tactical teams specifically tasked with targeting the Lakurawa bandits. He also organized a […]
‘The Right Man Won’t Be Scared’, Dancer Kaffy Speaks on Love After Divorce
Popular Nigerian dancer Kafayat Shafau, known professionally as Kaffy, has addressed speculation about dating following her 2022 separation from Joseph Ameh. The dancer and author dismissed the notion that successful women intimidate potential partners, stating confidently that the right man will approach her without fear. "A man who knows what he wants goes for it," Kaffy explained in an interview with Saturday Beats. While acknowledging that women can be successful independently, she emphasized that wanting companionship is natural, though not desperate. "Any man who has me is blessed," she added, reflecting her strong sense of self-worth. Speaking about her separation from Ameh, Kaffy maintained a remarkably mature perspective. Rather than assigning blame, she described it simply as two people no longer being in agreement. She emphasized the importance of prioritizing mental well-being, especially as a parent, over staying in an […]
Road Rage Incident in Temiskaming Shores, Canada
A 37-year-old suspect from Englehart, Ontario, has been charged in connection with a road rage incident that took place in Temiskaming Shores. The alarming event, captured on the victim’s dash cam, shows a white Toyota Rav 4 intentionally chasing and eventually ramming into the victim’s vehicle. The incident occurred on December 30th at around 1 p.m. at the intersection of Highway 11 and Highway 65 in Temiskaming Shores. In a news release on Friday, the Temiskaming Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) stated: "The Temiskaming Ontario Provincial Police is seeking assistance from the public in locating anyone having video/dash camera footage in relation to collisions and erratic driving" linked to this incident. Following the collision, OPP officers made several attempts to stop the suspect's vehicle, ultimately deploying a spike belt. This action successfully halted the vehicle, and the driver was arrested without […]
Related
Deadly Indonesian Landslide Traps Victims Under Mountain of Mud
A devastating landslide triggered by heavy rain has claimed 19 lives in Indonesia's Central Java province, with rescue operations ongoing in the Pekalongan region. The disaster struck Tuesday along a main road connecting the city to the tourist destination of Dieng plateau. The impact was severe, with local media showing extensive damage as houses and rice fields disappeared under mud, rubble, and rocks. Rescue efforts faced significant challenges, as teams had to trek four kilometers to reach the site due to blocked road access. Abdul Muhari, spokesperson for the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), confirmed that two additional bodies were recovered Wednesday morning, bringing the total death toll to 19. The search and rescue agency Basarnas reported 13 people were injured in the incident. Local official Mohammad Yulian Akbar said approximately 200 rescue personnel have been deployed, along with heavy […]
Hotel Fire Claims 10 Lives at Turkish Ski Resort
A devastating fire at the Grand Kartal Hotel in Bolu, Turkey, has resulted in 10 fatalities and 32 injuries, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya confirmed. Reports indicate that two victims died after jumping from windows to escape the blaze. The fire began at 3:27 AM local time in the hotel's fourth-floor restaurant area before spreading through the 12-story building. At the time, 234 guests stayed at the property during a busy school holiday. Emergency response faced significant challenges, with fire engines taking over an hour to reach the scene due to the hotel's remote location in Kartalkaya and freezing weather conditions, according to Bolu Governor Abdulaziz Aydin. Witnesses observed guests using bed linens to attempt escape from windows. A ski instructor, Necmi Kepcetutan, told NTV that his familiarity with the building helped him escape, while others struggled with the intense smoke. […]
Tech Giants Bezos, Zuckerberg, Pichai Attend Trump’s Inauguration
President-elect Donald Trump's inaugural celebrations began with a notable gathering of technology industry leaders and influential figures at a Monday morning church service at St John's Church. The attendees included prominent tech executives Jeff Bezos of Amazon, Mark Zuckerberg of Meta, Tim Cook of Apple, and Sundar Pichai of Google. Also present were media mogul Rupert Murdoch, FIFA president Gianni Infantino, and former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson. These tech leaders had previously been vocal critics of Trump's first-term policies, particularly regarding climate change and immigration. At the Capitol rotunda, Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, was observed among the attendees, taking time to admire the architectural details. Musk has invested significantly in Trump's campaign, contributing nearly $300 million, and has maintained close ties with the president-elect. TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chou is anticipated to attend the inauguration, despite […]
BREAKING: TikTok Goes Dark in America as Trump Promises Revival
TikTok ceased operations in the United States just hours before a legislated ban was scheduled to take effect. Users accessing the platform were notified that recently enacted legislation prevented TikTok usage. The message referenced President-elect Trump's potential intervention, stating, "We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office." The platform's shutdown followed its earlier warning of going offline unless the outgoing Biden administration provided assurances against ban enforcement. Trump, set to assume office Monday, indicated he would "most likely" grant TikTok a 90-day extension from the ban. Users reported TikTok's removal from U.S. Apple and Google app stores, while TikTok.com stopped displaying video content. The White House, through Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, stated the incoming administration would be responsible for further action. The Supreme Court […]
Shocking Dawn Attack: Former Jewish Leader’s House Targeted in Upscale Sydney Suburb
A property in Sydney's Dover Heights, formerly owned by Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin, was vandalized early Friday, with two vehicles set ablaze and antisemitic graffiti spray-painted in red, according to authorities. New South Wales Premier Chris Minns addressed the incident, stating that investigators cannot definitively confirm a connection between the property's previous owner and the attack, such a coincidence would be unlikely. No injuries were reported in the incident. This marks the third incident targeting Sydney's Jewish community within two months. The previous month saw a car fire and anti-Israel graffiti at two properties, following an arson attack at a Melbourne synagogue that authorities are investigating as terrorism. These incidents occur amid increased reports of both antisemitic and Islamophobic acts in Australia since October 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked Israel, leading to Israel's military response […]
Conor McGregor Named in Civil Lawsuit Alleging Sexual Assault at NBA Finals
Conor McGregor, the mixed martial arts fighter and former UFC champion, is facing a civil lawsuit alleging sexual assault at the Kaseya Center (formerly FTX Arena and American Airlines Arena) in Miami during the NBA Finals on June 9, 2023. The plaintiff alleges that McGregor assaulted her in a bathroom at the venue and is seeking unspecified damages from both McGregor and the Miami Heat Limited Partnership, the arena's ownership group. McGregor has denied the allegations through a spokesperson, dismissing them as a "shakedown." While the Miami Police Department initiated an investigation following a report filed on June 11, 2023, the Florida State Attorney’s Office declined to file criminal charges in October 2023. This declination does not preclude the pursuit of a civil suit, which has a different standard of proof than criminal proceedings. The lawsuit also details […]
Be the first to leave a comment