Along with Miss South Africa Lalela Mswane and Miss Paraguay Harnaaz Sandhu who are also in the Top 3, the 21-year-old model shares advice to young women on how to deal with the pressures they face today.
- Dec 13, 2021
AceShowbiz - Meet the Miss Universe 2021! Miss India Harnaaz Sandhu has been named the winner of the 70th edition of the annual pageant show, which was held on December 12 at Universe Dome in Eilat, Israel.
Leading up to the coronation moment, Sandhu, Miss South Africa Lalela Mswane and Miss Paraguay Nadia Ferreira were announced as the Top 3. They were all given the same question, which was "What advice would you give to young women watching on how to deal with the pressures they face today?"
The 21-year-old model impressed the judges as he implored young women to believe in themselves. "When I think the biggest pressure the youth of today is facing, is to believe in themselves," she began her final statement. "To know that you are unique and that makes you beautiful. Stop comparing yourself with others and let's talk about more important thing happening worldwide."
"I think this is what you need to understand," she added. "Come out, speak for yourself because you are the leader of the world. You are the voice of your own. I believe in myself and that's why I'm standing here today." Her statement was met with a round of applause from the audience.
Sandhu took over the crown from Miss Universe 2020 Andrea Meza of Mexico. Meza was crowned on May 16 after the competition was postposed from late 2020 to this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The third Mexican to win the pageant show, she had the shortest reign in history.
Eighty contestants competed in this year's pageant, including the first-ever entry from the Kingdom of Bahrain. Elle Smith, who was named Miss USA 2021 in late November, represented the country in the Miss Universe 2021 pageant and made it into the Top 10 along with Miss Colombia Valeria Ayos, Miss Philippines Beatrice Gomez, Miss Aruba Thessaly Zimmerman, Miss France Clemence Botino, Miss Puerto Rico Michelle Colon and Miss The Bahamas Chantel O'Brian.
Meanwhile, seven countries withdrew from the competition, including Barbados, Belize, Indonesia and Malaysia who dropped out of the pageant show due to travel restrictions, while Myanmar and Uruguay withdrew for undisclosed reasons.
This year's selection committee included American model Lori Harvey, Brazilian model Adriana Lima, Puerto Rican actress Adamari Lopez, Miss Universe 2016 winner (and former Miss France) Iris Mittenaere, Indian actress and Miss Diva 2015 winner Urvashi Rautela, Filipino actress and model Marian Rivera, American actress Rena Sofer, Miss USA 2019 winner Chelsie Kryst and Miss Universe 1976 winner Rina Mor. Steve Harvey returned as the host.
