Mumbai, India (CU)_ Harnaaz Sandhu of India won the Miss Universe 2021 title, succeeding Lara Dutta who was crowned Miss Universe 21 years ago in 2000. The 70th Miss Universe 2021 pageant took place today in Eilat, Israel, where Ms Sandhu represented India. The 21-year-old model from Punjab won the competition, beating out Nadia Ferreira of Paraguay and Lalela Mswane of South Africa.
Ms Sandhu was crowned by the Mexican beauty Andrea Meza, the previous Miss Universe 2020. Thus far, only two Indians have bagged the Miss Universe title prior to the Chandigarh-born model. They are actresses Sushmita Sen in 1994 and actress Lara Dutta in 2000. Ms Sandhu began her pageant career at a very young age of 17 and won the titles of Miss Diva 2021, Femina Miss India Punjab 2019, and even ranked in the Top 12 at Femina Miss India 2019.
When asked what advice she would offer to young women facing challenges, Ms Sandhu calmly responded saying, “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’s happening worldwide.” She expressed her confidence saying, “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”.
Harnaaz Sandhu was born and grew up in Punjab, where she attended Shivalik Public School and Chandigarh’s Post Graduate Government College for Girls. At the moment, the diva is studying her Master’s degree in Public Administration. Additionally, she has appeared in Punjabi films such as “Yaara Diyan Poo Baran” and “Bai Ji Kuttange”. Henceforth, Miss Universe Harnaaz Sandhu will stay in New York and attend a variety of international events.
