Key Highlights
- Harnaaz Sandhu becomes the first Indian in 21 years to be crowned Miss Universe in 2021
- Sandhu had already won other beauty pageants before this.
- While India took the first position, Paraguay and South Africa stood second and third respectively in the coveted pageant.
Who is Harnaaz Sandhu?
Harnaaz Sandhu, an actor and model, was crowned Miss Universe on Sunday, defeating 79 countries. Paraguay’s Nadia Ferreira, 22, finished second, South Africa’s Lalela Mswane, 24, came third at the 2021 Competition. Sandhu, 21, was named Miss Universe for the 70th time by Mexico’s Andrea Meza in the Israeli Red Sea resort town of Eilat.
missuniverse.com/delegates/harnaaz-sandhu(opens in a new tab)
Sandhu won Times Fresh Face in 2017, representing Chandigarh at 17. She won the LIVA Miss Diva Universe 2021 title. She has also worked as an actress in Punjabi films.
Sandhu became the third Indian to be awarded the tag of Miss Universe. Lara Dutta was named Miss Universe last in 2000, Sushmita Sen in 1994. “I am immensely grateful to the Almighty, my parents, and the Miss India Organization for guiding and supporting me throughout.” Sandhu said.
Words of Inspiration
Former Indian pageant winners and beauty queens including Sushmita Sen, Lara Dutta, and Priyanka Chopra Jonas, congratulated Sandhu. The celebration was hosted by Steve Harvey. The selection committee includes Urvashi Rautela, Adamari López, Adriana Lima, Cheslie Kryst, Iris Mittenaere, Lori Harvey, Marian Rivera and Rena Sofer. It was for the first time that Israel hosted the Miss Universe ceremony with the tourism ministry spending NIS 6.5 million (around ₹16 crore).
Sandhu will relocate to New York City as Miss Universe to serve as a spokesperson. When asked to share a piece of advice for the young women, Sandhu replied, “Well I think the biggest pressure the youth of today is facing is to believe in themselves. To know that you are unique and that’s what makes you beautiful, stop comparing yourselves with others and let’s talk about more important things that [are] happening worldwide, I think this is what you need to understand. This is what you need to understand. Come out, speak for yourselves because you are the leader of your life, you are the voice of your own. I believed in myself and that’s why I am standing here today,” she said.
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