Dropped-out Miss South Africa contestant Chidimma "Chichi' Adetshina, who has since entered Miss Universe Nigeria, has looked back at the gruelling experience leading up to her entering Miss Universe Nigeria. During the competition, she expressed how the experience at Miss SA really took a toll on her emotions and she cried herself to sleep.

A SECOND CHANCE

Chidimma (23) was invited to enter the Miss Universe Nigeria by Silverbird Group after her South African citizenship was questioned. It is alleged that her mother stole the identity of another woman to gain citizenship. She is said to have applied for her ID document in 1995 in Tshwane. The matter is still being investigated by the Department of Home Affairs and the Hawks. Although she could not win Miss SA, she hopes to get the Nigerian crown. "My goal is obviously to win the crown of Miss Universe Nigeria and I do have an impact that I want to share with everybody,' she said. "As a woman who has obviously faced adversity, I want to use my story to bring people together.'

IN NIGERIA

She said she wants to use the Miss Universe Nigeria as an opportunity to unite the continent. "I'm excited. I'm in my father's land, and I want to get to experience more about it,' she said. "It's been 20 years since I've been here. I just want to get to know more about the culture and where I come from,' she added.

Bullied on social media and questioned about her family's citizenship, Chichi shared during the Miss Universe Nigeria interview how the journey has been long and taxing. "It's been a long and hard journey. There were times when I would cry myself to sleep and wonder, 'Why me? I just want this to end,' she said. "I'm really glad I have been given the platform and the opportunity to at least try and reach that goal,' she shared.