India’s Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu made history after winning the Miss Universe 2021 contest on December 12, bringing home the crown after a long wait of 21 years. The 21-year-old beat 79 other contestants from various countries to win the coveted title at a glittering ceremony held in Israel’s Eilat. Miss Paraguay Nadia Ferreira was runner-up, while Miss South Africa Lalela Mswane stood third. Harnaaz is the third Indian to be crowned Miss Universe after Sushmita Sen and Lara Dutta.
Born and brought up in Punjab, Harnaaz completed her schooling and college from Chandigarh. She is currently a Master’s student in Public Administration. Harnaaz stepped into the glamorous world of modelling at the tender age of 17. She won her first beauty pageant- Miss Chandigarh- in 2017. Her next big win was the Femina Miss India Punjab 2019. But it was the Miss Diva Universe title in 2021, which paved the way to the Miss Universe 2021 pageant.
Harnaaz has a keen interest in acting. She starred in the 2021 Punjabi film Yaara Diyan Poo Baran and will be seen on the silver screen in Bai Ji Kuttange in 2022. She draws inspiration from actress and Miss World 2000, Priyanka Chopra. Harnaaz’s Miss Universe delegate bio states that her role model is her mother whom she admires for breaking “generations of patriarchy to become a successful gynaecologist.
She has actively participated in health camps with her mother, advocating about issues like menstrual hygiene, cancer, and women’s health.
In her spare time, Harnaaz loves pursuing yoga, cooking, horse riding, dancing, and playing chess. She is excellent at mimicry and is also a closet singer.
The 21-year-old gave an incisive answer when asked by the judges what she would do to convince people who thought climate change was a hoax.
“Honestly, my heart breaks to see how nature is going through a lot of problems and to all irresponsible behaviour. And I feel that this is the time to take action and talk less because each action could either kill or save nature. Preventing and protecting is better than repenting and repairing, and this is what I’m trying to convince you guys today,” she said.
The winning answer that impressed judges and audiences alike was to the question: What advice would you give to young women watching on how to deal with the pressures they face today?
“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 are happening worldwide. 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.”
https://twitter.com/MissUniverse/status/1470220584869154831?s=20
