The 70th Miss Universe beauty pageant took place at Eilat, Israel has been won by India’s Harnaaz Sandhu. Harnaaz has brought the crown back home after 21 years. Before Harnaaz, only two Indian beauties have clinched the crown – Sushmita Sen in 1994 and Lara Dutta in 2000.
Harnaaz made it to the finale with Miss Paraguay Nadia Ferreira and Miss South Africa Lalela Mswane. During the final round, all three women were asked to advise women who were watching the beauty pageant. All the three contestants answered perfectly and confidently and at last, the crown was passed from Miss Mexico Andrea Meza to Miss India Harnaaz Sandhu.
Here’s what she answered the question asked during the final round. “The biggest pressure the youth of today is facing is to believe in themselves. To know that you are unique makes you beautiful. Stop comparing yourselves with others and let's talk about more important things that are happening worldwide. Come out, speak for yourself, because you are the leader of your life. You are the voice of your own. I believed in myself and that is why I am standing here today,” the new Miss Universe said with aplomb.
During the question and answers round, she was asked to convince all that Climate change is a hoax otherwise. While answering the question, she said that one must act rather than repair or repent.
In the end, the votes were tallied and Harnaaz Sandhu was crowned as Miss Universe 2021.
The first runner up was Miss Paraguay and the second runner up was Miss South Africa.
As soon as Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu was crowned as the stadium broke into a cheer and she broke into tears. Harnaaz made it to the Top 16 when the competition began on Monday morning, and she was in the Top 10 following the swimsuit round.