Chidimma Adetshina stood under the lights at the Arena CDMX in Mexico City, her poise flawless, her smile radiant, as the audience erupted into cheers. Nigeria’s star had captivated millions, and for a moment, it felt like the entire world was holding its breath. Then came the announcement—Victoria Kjær Theilvig of Denmark was crowned Miss Universe 2024. The cheers dulled into murmurs, then into full-blown controversy online. “Chidimma was robbed!” “How could they overlook her?” The debate wasn’t just about a crown; it was about what this moment revealed about the beauty industry and how much work it still has to do.

One of the loudest takeaways from this year’s competition was the need for real, authentic diversity. For many, Chidimma, the current Miss Universe Nigeria 2024 who got ousted from the Miss South Africa pageant months back, served a symbol of a broader, richer vision of beauty. Her fans weren’t simply rooting for her—they were rooting for what she represented: a step toward inclusivity that feels real, not tokenistic.

“It’s not enough to just have a few faces of colour or different body types sprinkled into campaigns or on runways,” wrote a fashion blogger after the event. “We want real stories, depth, and acknowledgment of what makes each culture unique.” The beauty world loves to flaunt its progress, but Miss Universe 2024 reminded us that the industry still struggles to show the actual diversity of its global audience.

Social media played a massive role in amplifying the voices demanding change. Within hours of the crowning moment, Chidimma was trending worldwide, as it wasn’t just Nigerians expressing frustration; fans from all over the globe used their platforms to call for better representation. This moment proved, yet again, that public opinion has immense power. Fashion and Beauty brands and organisations like Miss Universe can no longer operate in a vacuum. The backlash served as a reminder that people are watching—and they’re vocal about what they expect. “Beauty has to be for everyone,” one Instagram user commented. “The audience isn’t asking anymore. They’re demanding.”

The cultural tension between Victoria’s win and Chidimma’s near-victory exposed the beauty world’s ongoing struggle with inclusivity. While Victoria’s win marked a historic first for Denmark, Chidimma’s presence displayed the need for more meaningful engagement with global diversity. “It’s not about choosing one over the other,” said one critic. “It’s about recognising that beauty doesn’t look the same everywhere, and that’s something to celebrate, not avoid.” If anything, this controversy showed how much richer the fashion world could be if it leaned fully into the diverse stories its audiences are ready to embrace.

And then there’s the conversation about evolving beauty standards. For decades, beauty pageants like Miss Universe have set the tone for what’s considered glamorous or aspirational. But what happens when the audience starts rejecting those standards? Chidimma’s rise—and the backlash over her loss—made one thing clear: beauty isn’t static. It changes with the times, and the fashion industry needs to evolve alongside it.

Today, people are looking for something deeper than flawless makeup or a perfect runway walk. They want individuality, representation, and stories that resonate.

The drama surrounding this year’s event also brought back memories of an infamous moment in Miss Universe history. Who could forget the 2015 debacle, when host Steve Harvey mistakenly announced Miss Colombia, Ariadna Gutiérrez, as the winner, only to backtrack and name the actual victor, Miss Philippines, Pia Wurtzbach? The crown was awkwardly removed from Gutiérrez’s head and placed on Wurtzbach’s, creating a moment of live television chaos. That incident exposed how high the stakes—and emotions—are in pageants like Miss Universe. This year, while no crowns were mistakenly handed out, the fervor over Chidimma’s near-victory reignited the debate about what these competitions really stand for.

Pageants like Miss Universe have long been platforms for showcasing fashion and beauty trends, but this year’s drama took things a step further. It challenged the industry to reflect on its priorities. Who gets celebrated? Whose stories are told? And how can the fashion and beauty industry become a space where everyone feels seen? “Fashion and Beauty aren’t just about clothes or aesthetics,” a former Miss Universe contestant said in a recent interview. “It’s about identity, culture, and power.”

Victoria may have taken the crown, but Chidimma walked away with something just as powerful: a global conversation about what beauty and fashion should look like in 2024 and beyond—people are tired of the same old standards, the same old stories. They’re ready for change.

And if the beauty and fashion industry wants to stay relevant, it’ll need to listen

Read more fashion articles from KLATMAG

Written by Angel Joanne Okonkwo

Miss Universe 2024 Top 5– Miss Universe 2024 Denmark – Victoria Kjær Theilvig, 1st Runner-Up Nigeria – Chidimma Adetshina, 2nd Runner-Up Mexico – María Fernanda Beltrán, 3rd Runner-Up Thailand – Suchata Chuangsri, 4th Runner-Up Venezuela – Ileana Márquez

Miss Universe Continental Winners

Miss Universe Africa & Oceania (Nigeria) – Chidimma Adetshina, Miss Universe Asia (Philippines) – Chelsea Manalo, Miss Universe Europe & Middle East (Finland) – Matilda Wirtavuori, Miss Universe Americas (Peru) – Tatiana Calmell