Before Harnaaz only two Indians have won the title of Miss Universe – actors Sushmita Sen in 1994 and Lara Dutta in 2000.
After just a little over two decades, India’s Harnaaz Sandhu has brought the Miss Universe crown back home.
The 21-year-old from Chandigarh won the title beating Paraguay’s Nadia Ferreira and South Africa’s Lalela Mswane. Last year’s winner Andrea Meza from Mexico, crowned her successor at the global beauty pageant held in Eilat, Israel on Sunday, December 12.
Asked what advice she would give to young women on how to deal with the pressures they face, a composed Ms Sandhu said, “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.”
Ms Sandhu, who started her journey in pageantry at the age of 17, has previously been crowned Miss Diva 2021, Femina Miss India Punjab 2019 and was even placed in the Top 12 at Femina Miss India 2019.
She has also worked in Punjabi films like “Yaara Diyan Poo Baran” and “Bai Ji Kuttange”.
Miss Paraguay Nadia Ferreira ended the night as first runner-up from the 80 countries and territories that participated. Born in Villarica, she is a professional fashion model by trade and social activist.
The Top 16 contestants saw five Latin American countries represented. They were Valeria Ayos of Colombia, Branda Smith of Panama, Luiseth Materán of Venezuela, Michelle Colón of Puerto Rico, and Ferreira of Paraguay. Ayos and Colón then made it to the Top 10, and Ayos went on to the Top 5.
During her interview, Ferreira was asked about the advice she would give young women on how to deal with the pressures they face in society today. She took the time to ask all young women to rally together to accomplish their goals.
“I’ve been through so many hard situations in my life, but I overcame them,” Ferriera said. “I want all women…in this moment, to join forces to do what you’re meant to do. You can do it, no matter the situation. You can always be victorious.”
Miss South Africa, Lalela Mswane made the top three at the 70th Miss Universe pageant. She was crowned second runner-up
In her final speech before the winner was announced, Mswane urged young women to “choose courage over comfort”.
“I would like young women to know that since the beginning of time they have had everything within them to achieve anything they wanted, it is the world that convinced that we do not,” she said.
After the pageant, the reigning Miss South Africa said she was “overwhelmed” to make it into the top three.
************************************************************************
Readers