Indian woman crowned Miss Universe 2021 for the 1st time in 21 years

Harnaaz Sandhu, a 21-year-old woman from Punjab, has won the Miss Universe 2021 title, bringing the crown back to India 21 years after Lara Dutta won the title in 2000. The first and the second runners-up were contestants from Paraguay and South Africa respectively.

The 70th Miss Universe 2021 event was held in Eilat, Israel, and was live-streamed globally. Harnaaz Sandhu was presented the crown by Andrea Meza, former Miss Universe 2020 from Mexico. The model began her beauty pageant journey with Times Fresh Face back in 2017 and was subsequently crowned Miss Universe India 2021 in October. Speaking about her preparation for the big event, Harnaaz Sandhu had said earlier, “I believe I am the only candidate who got the shortest time to prepare, but the team has been putting in a lot of effort to bring the best version out of India.”

She further added, “And I am getting a lot of training, be it in terms of communication or putting myself out there confidently. I promise to each one of you that you will enjoy the process – all these efforts will not go in vain.” Harnaaz Sandhu, who was born and brought up in Chandigarh, has also starred in a number of Punjabi films, including Yaara Diyan Poo Baran and Bai Ji Kuttange. After winning the title for India after 21 years, the new Miss Universe’s response was “Chak De Phatte.”