Miss Universe Nigeria 2026, Danielle Adewusi, is following in her mom’s footsteps 35 years after she gained the identical title. Ahead of the seventy fifth Miss Universe, she speaks with Tosin Clegg about legacy, empowerment and her ambitions.
How did this journey begin out for you?
Thirty-five years in the past, my mom held the identical title, having been Miss Universe Nigeria in 1991, and I want to say that I am stepping into a legacy. I am competing at Miss Universe International on the finish of this week, as I resume camp on Sunday, and I am doing one thing that has by no means been seen in pageantry earlier than. It is named the Legacy Reign, and no one has ever performed something prefer it in pageantry.
It honours three legacies. The first, which I have already spoken about, is my mom’s achievement 35 years in the past. The second is that Nigeria gained the Miss World pageant 25 years in the past, whereas the third is the seventy fifth version of the Miss Universe competitors. The convergence of those timelines may be very vital to me and speaks strongly of legacy.
When I compete, I wish to signify Nigeria effectively and honour the completely different tribes and legacies of the nation. You will see this mirrored within the wardrobe I will likely be bringing to camp. (*35*) are outfits I designed myself, which have been dropped at life by my superb stylists.
What has your pageantry journey been like up thus far?
I was at all times conscious of pageantry due to my mum, and the thought that I would compete someday had at all times been behind my thoughts. In my fifth yr of medical faculty, I was already doing loads, as I am somebody who multitasks, though I am doing much more now than I was doing then.
At some level, folks began telling me that when I certified as a health care provider, I must hand over all these different pursuits as a result of I may solely be a health care provider. That didn’t sit proper with me. I don’t consider we’ve got to decrease one side of our mission for one more to be celebrated.
So, someday, I sat down and determined how I wished issues to be. I listed all of the issues I loved and was good at, then took a step again to work out learn how to obtain them. I ultimately determined that 2026 can be the yr, and that was how the journey started.
What makes this international showcase so particular to you?
I consider we’ve got an opportunity of profitable, and I have seen how Nigerians have rallied behind and supported me. Many Nigerians didn’t know who I was earlier than this competitors. I had about 2,000 followers on Instagram, however that quantity has now grown to tens of 1000’s.
I have seen the love and assist, and I know that folks genuinely consider we will make it occur this yr. I labored arduous behind the scenes even earlier than competing at Miss Universe Nigeria, turning into a finalist or making use of for the competitors. I had already travelled to Thailand to obtain coaching from the most effective runway coaches as a result of I genuinely consider we will win.
Winning would make historical past for a number of causes. On a private degree, I would change into the seventh Black Miss Universe within the competitors’s 75-year historical past. I would even be the primary Nigerian to win the crown, as Nigeria has by no means gained the competitors.
In latest years, Miss Universe has modified a few of its necessities, permitting ladies of any age to compete. Previously, the age restrict was 28, and I am now 29. So, I can be the primary queen to compete past the earlier age restriction.
Tell us about your aspirations and resolve forward of the competitors.
I am deeply prayerful, and I am a believer. Only God has introduced me this far, and solely God can carry the crown. As a rustic competing in pageantry, we face many challenges as a result of we’re up in opposition to queens who’re pageant veterans and have constructed vital followings by way of their profitable participation in competitions.
I belief in God and within the preparation that has introduced me this far.
With a lot in your plate, what has saved you going?
I preserve going as a result of I perceive my function, which is to advocate for and empower ladies and women. Perhaps this comes from my mum, who’s a robust girl and has spent her life caring for others. It can also have come from my sisters, however I consider I have a robust sense of sisterhood and reference to ladies and women.
How assured are you about profitable the competitors?
I am extraordinarily assured. I belief within the preparation I have undertaken, the character I have developed, the power of my function and the religion that God has positioned me on this path for a cause.
I know I have what it takes, and I am doing this for the fitting causes. This journey has been years within the making, and I know it will be distinctive.
What comes subsequent for you if you happen to win?
One of my essential objectives when I joined this pageant was to carry ladies’s well being schooling to each state and each faculty in Nigeria. I consider ladies and women want this schooling, and it’s important that they obtain it early as a result of it could possibly assist forestall illnesses.
I would like to journey to extra states and increase the work we’ve got already been doing in Lagos, Edo and some different locations.
