The 70th edition of Miss Universe pageant was held on 12th December, 2021 at Universe Dome, Port of Eilat in Eilat, South District, Israel where Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu of India was crowned as Miss Universe 2021. But there was one more name that made history that day, of Bahamas’ Chantel O'Brian who put the country’s name among the semi-finalists at the competition for the first time in 70 years of its history.
Chantel made it to the Top 10 of Miss Universe 2021 along with Thessaly Zimmerman of Aruba, Valeria Ayos Bossa of Colombia, Clémence Botino of France, Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu of India, Nadia Tamara Ferreira of Paraguay, Beatrice Luigi Gomez of Philippines, Michelle Marie Colón of Puerto Rico, Lalela Mswane of South Africa and Elle Smith who was representing United States of America.
Prior to the coronation, O'Brien was honoured by Carnival Cruise Line with the Carnival Spirit award for her charity, 'The Leading Ladies Project.' The 27-year-old is the co-founder of The Leading Ladies Project, an organization which helps promote the education of underprivileged girls in 3 Abaco, Bahamas. Born in Nassau, Chantel works as an etiquette coach and as a Creole translator for the Haitian community on the island. Giving a stunning performance throughout the competition, Chantel made her place as a frontrunner in the competition.
“My Bahamas, I am proud and I hope you are too! We made history last night!! Never in a million years could I have imagined a turn of events like this! I am grateful. I am humbled. God thank you. I gave it my all and I am confident that it was enough. Point is, they know that The Bahamas is here and we'll keep coming! First time ever placement in the history of Miss Universe and made it to Top 10,” posted an overjoyed Chantel a day after the competition.
Chantel holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business and Enterprise from Edinburgh Napier University in Scotland. She is the third delegate to have won both the Miss World Bahamas and Miss Universe Bahamas national titles.
She is a member of the Majority-Minority Development Association in The Bahamas’ Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture and has been recognized for her work as a Fellow Associate by the Royal Commonwealth Society. She's also a businesswoman, having founded P.S. O'Brian Consulting, a pageant, etiquette, and runway coaching and advisory firm that also provides marketing and branding services.