Jerusalem: Actress-model Harnaaz Sandhu created history on Monday. Sandhu won the title of Miss Universe 2021 and was crowned Miss Universe 2021. India won the title after 21 years – beating competitors from 80 countries. Before Sandhu, only two Indians have won the Miss Universe title, actor Sushmita Sen in 1994 and Lara Dutta in 2000. The 70th edition of the event was held in Eilat, Israel, where the 21-year-old won the prestigious competition.
Model from Chandigarh, who is pursuing MA in Public Administration. She was crowned last year’s Miss Universe Mexico by Andrea Meza. Paraguay’s Nadia Ferreira, 22, finished second, while South Africa’s Lalela Mswane, 24, came third. During the final question-and-answer session, Sandhu was asked what advice she would give to young women on how to deal with the pressure they face today.
What was Sandhu’s answer?
In response, Sandhu said- ‘The biggest pressure the youth of today is facing is to believe in themselves. Stop comparing yourself to others and talk about more important things happening around the world. Speak for yourself because you are the leader of your life, you are your voice. I believed in myself and that is why I am standing here today.
Sandhu won the Times Fresh Face in the year 2017, representing Chandigarh at the age of 17. Later she won the title of LIVA Miss Diva Universe 2021. Sandhu has also worked in some Punjabi films. The ceremony was hosted by Steve Harvey and featured a performance by American singer JoJo.
The selection committee included actors and Miss Universe India 2015 Urvashi Rautela, Adamari Lopez, Adriana Lima, Chesley Crist, Iris Mittenaere, Lori Harvey, Marion Rivera, and Rena Soffer.
