The recently concluded Miss Universe 2024 will go down in history as one with many ‘firsts’ and records. The 73rd edition which saw Miss Denmark, Victoria Kjaer Theilvig emerge as winner was held on November 16 in Mexico with 125 contestants in total, 41 more contestants than in 2023.
From many countries making their debuts to others returning after a hiatus, it was one that featured many ‘firsts’ and significant milestones.
Here are the African countries that broke records at the Miss Universe 2024.
1. Logina Salah (Miss Egypt)
Logina Salah made history at the Miss Universe 2024 as the first-ever contestant with vitiligo. Vitiligo is a skin condition that causes patches of skin to lose pigment or color.
Salah also became the first Egyptian contestant to make it to the top 30 in the pageant’s 73-year-old history marking a significant milestone for Egypt. Her participation therefore challenged age-long stereotypes and norms about beauty queens thereby winning hearts worldwide.
2. Snit Tewoldemedhin (Miss Eritrea)
Snit Tewoldemedhin made history as the first Miss Eritrea to participate in the Miss Universe. Eritrea is located in the Eastern African region with a population of about 3.7 million people.
3. Khadijah Omar (Miss Somalia)
Khadijah Omar made history as the first hijab-wearing Miss Universe. The 23-year-old is also the first woman to represent Somalia at Miss Universe.
4. Saran Bah (Miss Guinea)
Saran Bah is the first Miss Guinea to compete at the Miss Universe.
5. Chidinma Adetshina (Miss Nigeria)
For Chidinma Adetshina, Nigeria’s representative at the Miss Universe, it was an avalanche of ‘firsts’.
- The first-ever Nigerian and West African to become first runner-up
- The first Nigerian and African to make it to the top five this year. She is also the first Nigerian to become a top 5 finalist.
- The first Miss Universe Africa and Oceania from Nigeria. This means she will represent the entire continent of Africa and the fourteen countries in Oceania, including New Zealand and Australia.
6. Mia Le Roux (Miss South Africa)
Until her withdrawal from the pageant, Mia Le Roux of South Africa was the first-ever deaf contestant at the Miss Universe competition.
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