Miss Universe Nigeria 2026, Danielle Adewusi, is following in her mom’s footsteps 35 years after she received the identical title. Ahead of the seventy fifth Miss Universe, she speaks with (*35*) 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 wish 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 executed 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 received 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 could be very important to me and speaks strongly of legacy.
When I compete, I need to characterize Nigeria nicely and honour the totally different tribes and legacies of the nation. You will see this mirrored within the wardrobe I might be bringing to camp. These are outfits I designed myself, which have been dropped at life by my superb stylists.
What has your pageantry journey been like up so far?
I was at all times conscious of pageantry due to my mum, and the thought that I would compete in the future had at all times been in the back of my thoughts. In my fifth 12 months of medical college, 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, individuals began telling me that after I certified as a health care provider, I must hand over all these different pursuits as a result of I might solely be a health care provider. That didn’t sit proper with me. I don’t imagine we’ve got to decrease one side of our mission for one more to be celebrated.
So, in the future, I sat down and determined how I needed issues to be. I listed all of the issues I loved and was good at, then took a step again to work out methods to obtain them. I ultimately determined that 2026 can be the 12 months, and that was how the journey started.
What makes this world showcase so particular to you?
I imagine 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 hundreds.
I have seen the love and assist, and I know that individuals genuinely imagine we are able to make it occur this 12 months. I labored exhausting 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 among the finest runway coaches as a result of I genuinely imagine we are able to win.
Winning would make historical past for a number of causes. On a private stage, I would turn out to be 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 received 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 important 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 hold going as a result of I perceive my objective, which is to advocate for and empower ladies and women. Perhaps this comes from my mum, who’s a powerful lady and has spent her life caring for others. It may additionally have come from my sisters, however I imagine I have a powerful 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 energy of my objective 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’s going to be distinctive.
What comes subsequent for you for those who win?
One of my fundamental targets when I joined this pageant was to carry ladies’s well being schooling to each state and each college in Nigeria. I imagine ladies and women want this schooling, and it’s important that they obtain it early as a result of it may possibly assist forestall ailments.
I would like to journey to extra states and develop the work we’ve got already been doing in Lagos, Edo and some different locations.
