The reigning Miss Nigeria USA, Udeme Anthony Ikaiddi embodies the true beauty queen in all ramifications. In this interview with Diaspora Glitz Magazine, the beauty queen talked about what inspired her to join the beauty pageant and what winning the pageant has brought to her.
Could you tell us about your ethnic and educational background?
I am the daughter of Akwa Ibom State, which is located in the coastal southern region of Nigeria. The people of Akwa Ibom State have a vibrant cultural heritage, expressed through traditional music, dance, festivals, and cuisine. My people are Oron. I completed my education in Florida. I got my Bachelor of Arts in Management from the University of South Florida in Tampa.
What inspired you to join a beauty pageant, and was your family in support of it?
When I was younger, my sister and I would gather around the television and watch the Miss Universe competitions. At the time, I didn’t think someone like me could become a pageant queen. Years later, after competing in speech and debate in high school, I built up a lot more confidence. When I got to university, I became involved in modeling and started producing pageants and helping to coach my peers in preparation for their competitions.
One day, someone brought up the Miss Akwa Ibom USA pageant, and, given that this is a pageant close to my heart and an opportunity to represent my heritage, I chose to compete. It was my first pageant, and I am proud to say that I won my first crown as Miss Akwa Ibom 2019. From there, I found inspiration in many international queens, like Cheslie Kryst, Zozibini Tunzi, and Abena Akuaba. That is when I decided to go further and compete in other pageants. The rest, as they say, is history.
I am so grateful to have the support of my family. My mother, father, and entire family have been incredibly supportive of my participation in pageants. I’m honestly so blessed to have been shown so much love from my family, friends, and community. They are why I work so hard to make a difference.
After winning the Miss Nigeria USA pageant in 2023, has stardom changed you?
I would say “stardom” has changed me. However, not in the way most would think. Upon winning the title, I developed a new-found sense of responsibility. This platform has opened my eyes to the responsibilities I now shoulder and ignited a strong desire to expand my efforts further. I feel like it’s even more important for me to speak up, stand up for what is right, and spread unity and positivity.
What doors will you say stardom has opened for you?
I would say that “stardom” has provided me with a platform to advocate for the causes that I deeply care about. My goal has always been to make a meaningful difference in my community, and I now can do that. Through various appearances and engagements, I have had the opportunity to connect with people from diverse backgrounds to inspire positive change.
Overall, I would say that “stardom” as a beauty pageant queen has allowed me to embrace my potential and pursue my dreams of having a lasting impact on the world around me.
Is there any project you are currently working on?
Miss Udeme Anthony Ikaiddi
I am currently working with local nonprofits in Texas to plan and execute events for black history month, women’s History Month, and Mental Health Awareness Month. I am especially excited to be working with a mental health nonprofit in Nigeria to help spread awareness in the diaspora and back home.
What are your plans for 2024?
I plan to continue to be an active member of my local communities. I will continue to place a focus on community health and wellness. On a personal note, I plan on loving myself and giving myself a little more grace this year. I put a lot of pressure on myself last year, and it truly took a toll on how I showed up as Udeme to my family and friends and how I showed up as Miss Nigeria USA to our supporters and our community. When we love and care for ourselves, we are able to love and care for others better.
What advice do you have for upcoming beauty queens?
The journey to becoming a queen starts within. Focus on your inner beauty. While your external beauty matters, your inner beauty will always shine through. Embrace your authenticity. It is important to know what you stand for and why. For me, I found it helpful to hold onto my values as it became a form of motivation.
It’s important to understand that there are two basic paths that you can take once you become a queen. You can be a queen who focuses on the glam and excitement of pageantry, or you can be a queen that centres her platform on service. The latter is what becoming a queen is truly about.
And last but not least, enjoy the experience. Regardless of the outcome, don’t forget to embrace and enjoy every part of the pageantry process. It is a transformative experience, and you will always leave with beautiful memories, friendships, and life-long lessons.
