The coveted Miss Universe title has finally returned home — after 21 years — as Chandigarh-born Harnaaz Sandhu was declared the winner of the 70th edition of the pageant on Sunday night in Eliat, Israel.
Actor Lara Dutta had last won the title in 2000.
In second place was Miss Paraguay Nadia Ferreira, followed by Miss South Africa Lalela Mswane.
The model, who’s Instagram bio reads, “Shine like the whole Universe is yours”, had previously won ‘Miss Diva Universe 2021’ title that paved her way to the Miss Universe 2021 pageant.
After the historic win, Harnaaz expressed gratitude for everyone who believed in her. “We did it. I said in my final answer, that I believed in myself and that’s why I was on that stage. I also want to mention a few people who believed in me too. Firstly I would like to thank my family and friends who have been there with me no matter what.They have seen me fall and get up and they have been there supporting me throughout,” she mentioned in a post.
As per her Miss Universe delegate bio, Harnaaz, a Punjabi, draws inspiration from her mother, who “broke generations of patriarchy to become a successful gynecologist and led her family”.
“Driven to support other women the same way, Harnaaz grew up working with her mother at health camps addressing women’s health and menstrual hygiene. Deeply conscious of the privilege her mother’s struggles have gifted her, Harnaaz today is a strong advocate for women’s empowerment, particularly their constitutional rights to education, careers, and their freedom of choice,” the bio reads.
Harnaaz, who is an actor by profession, is inspired by actor and Miss World 2000 Priyanka Chopra and her body of work.
Former Miss Universe Lara Dutta also congratulated her on the win.
“In her spare time, Harnaaz enjoys the company of friends, loves yoga, dancing, cooking, horse riding, and playing chess. She is a water baby and never misses a chance to jump into a pool to rejuvenate herself. She believes in the saying – “Great things happen to those who don’t stop believing, trying, learning, and being grateful,” reads her delegate bio.
In the run up to the finale, the actor-model wrote how she is “already a winner” as she shared a video which shows her praying at Amritsar’s Golden Temple.
“Faith is unseen. It’s felt. It’s the feeling I have in my heart today. I have faith in God, my family and the blessings you all have showered on me. I have enjoyed my journey and as we near the end of this beautiful pageant, I want to re-live memories with my family, my Punjab. I want you all to know, that I’m grateful for each and every one of you and for all the experiences I had in these 1.5 months. I’m already a winner. I have you all. See you at the Miss Universe 2021 Finale!” she wrote.
Awards And Achievements
– In the year 2017, Harnaaz won the title of Miss Chandigarh.
– In 2018, she won the title of Miss Max Emerging Star India.
– In the year 2019, Harnaaz Sandhu has also won the title of Femina Miss India Punjab.
– India’s Harnaaz Sandhu has become Miss Diva Universe in the year 2021.
– Harnaaz Sandhu Miss Universe Pageant 2021
– Harnaaz Sandhu of India has won the Miss Universe pageant 2021 title.
– She was crowned by Andrea Meza, former Miss Universe 2020 of Mexico.
Harnaaz Sandhu Career
– Since her teenage years, Sandhu started participating in pageants and won titles like Miss Chandigarh 2017 and Miss Max Emerging Star India 2018.
– Harnaaz won the title of Femina Miss India Punjab 2019 and hence she participated in Femina Miss India 2019 where she was eventually placed in the top 12.
– Sandhu was first confirmed as a top 50 semi-finalist and later as a top 20 finalist. During the preliminary contest, she also won the title of Miss Beautiful Skin and became a finalist for Miss Beach Body, Miss Beautiful Smile, Miss Photogenic, and Miss Talented.
– At the end of the Miss Diva 2021 pageant, Harnaaz Sandhu was crowned as Miss Diva 2021, with Adeline Castellino, the outgoing titleholder and also the third runner-up of Miss Universe 2020.
– In 2021, she acted in the Punjabi films “Yara Diya Poo Baran” and “Bai Ji Kuttange”.
Wants to Work For Menstrual Hygiene
The beauty queen in an interview with AP said that she wants to work towards menstrual hygiene. She said, “Well, I’m very passionate about menstrual hygiene as my mom is a gynecologist, and since I have been growing up, I’ve seen how careful she has been towards spreading the word regarding cleanliness amongst the youth who are the future of tomorrow, especially women all around the world who feel so uncomfortable talking about their health. So I want to break those stigmas, those stereotypes that your health is your priority, and there’s nothing beyond that. If you really want to achieve the purpose in your life and you really want to achieve the goals and you’re passionate about that, you need to be internally strong and than comes the time you’re open to talk about your health in front of the society.”