The Miss Universe organization hosted the 70th edition of the international pageant on 12th December 2021 in Eilat, Israel where Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu of India was crowned as Miss Universe 2021. She succeeded Miss Universe 2020 Andrea Meza of Mexico for the title.
Harnaaz started the evening on a strong foot by making a grand entry at the preliminary competition of Miss Universe 2021. She strongly walked up to the microphone and enthralled the audience with her roar of a voice, energetically introducing herself and greeting everyone with an anjali mudra, the namastey hand gesture.
Next was the swimwear round, where she wore a pink swimsuit under a leopard print shrug which she confidently took off during her walk, oozing nothing but sheer surety of oneself. The 21-year-old pulled off the national attire with just as much elan as she carried the beach costume. The national costume was a pink lehenga with intricate mirror work designed by Abhinav Mishra, a renowned designer in the Indian film industry. The Costume was a take on a regal Indian woman and her instinct to protect. The umbrella Harnaaz twirled with pride on the MU stage symbolized shelter, protection and dignity. Knowing when to put forward grace and when to steal the show with her boldness, this actor can do it all!
After making it into the Top 16, Harnaaz was asked a rather off-putting question but the diva did not let it faze her. Sandhu was asked to do her best animal impression by the host. "I hear you do some pretty good animal impersonations. Let's hear your best one," quipped Steve Harvey.
But she took it in her stride as the queen she is and confidently performed. "Oh my god, Steve, I was not expecting to do this on the world stage. I have to do this, I have no other option, brace yourself everyone," exclaimed the actor before letting out a few ‘meows’ while doing the impersonation of a cat.
In the evening gown round, the Chandigarh city resident stunned everyone with her walk and gaze, captivating everyone with her eyes and demeanours. For the question and answer segment with Top 5 contestants, Sandhu was asked, “Many people think that climate change is a hoax. What would you do to convince them otherwise?” She replied, “Honestly, my heart breaks to see how nature is going through a lot of problems and its all due to our irresponsible behaviour. And I totally feel that this is the time to take actions and talk less. Because our each action could either kill or save nature. Prevent and protect is better than repent and repair and this is what I am trying to convince you guys today.”
In the final Q and A round, she was asked, “What advice would you give to young women watching on how to deal with the pressures they face today?” To which she thoughtfully answered after taking a moment, “I think the biggest pressure that the youth of today is facing is to believe in themselves, to know that you are unique and that is what makes you beautiful, stop comparing yourself with others and let’s talk about more important things that are happening worldwide. Come out, speak for yourself 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.”
A truly splendid performance!