India is proud as Chandigarh-born Harnaaz Sandhu was declared the winner of the 70th edition of the Miss Universe pageant on Sunday night in Eliat, Israel. She bagged the title for the nation after 21 years after Lara Dutta in 2000.
Sandhu was followed by Miss Paraguay Nadia Ferreira, and Miss South Africa Lalela Mswane as first and second runner up respectively.
She had previously won the ‘Miss Diva Universe 2021’ title that paved her way to the Miss Universe 2021 pageant.
Who is Harnaaz Sandhu?
Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu was born on March 3, 2000, in Chandigarh, Punjab. She graduated from Shivalik Public School and then attended the Government College for Girls in the city.
From a very young age, Harnaaz started modeling and, gradually made her way to beauty pageants and won her first pageant, Miss Chandigarh, in 2017. She went on to win several other titles including Miss Max Emerging Star 2018. In September 2021, she represented Chandigarh at Miss Diva 2021 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Mumbai and faced off against 19 other winners.
She is also into acting and has starred in the Punjabi films “Yaara Diyan Poo Baran” and “Bai Ji Kuttange”.
What question did Harnaaz Sandhu answer to win the Miss Universe 2021 title?
In the final top 3 round, all of them were asked one single question:
“What advice would you give to young women watching on how to deal with the pressures they face today?“
The 21-year-old’s inspiring answer stood out to bring home the title.
“Well, I think 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,” answered Harnaaz.
FINAL STATEMENT: India. #MISSUNIVERSE
— Miss Universe (@MissUniverse) December 13, 2021
The 70th MISS UNIVERSE Competition is airing LIVE around the world from Eilat, Israel on @foxtv pic.twitter.com/wwyMhsAyvd
As per her Miss Universe delegate bio, Harnaaz draws inspiration from her mother, who “broke generations of patriarchy to become a successful gynecologist and led her family”.
“Driven to support other women the same way, Harnaaz grew up working with her mother at health camps addressing women’s health and menstrual hygiene. Deeply conscious of the privilege her mother’s struggles have gifted her, Harnaaz today is a strong advocate for women’s empowerment, particularly their constitutional rights to education, careers, and their freedom of choice,” it reads.
She is also inspired by actor and Miss World 2000 Priyanka Chopra and her body of work.
Hobbies
- In her spare time, Harnaaz enjoys the company of friends, loves yoga, dancing, cooking, horse riding, and playing chess.
- She is a water baby and never misses a chance to jump into a pool to rejuvenate herself.
- Harnaaz can “mimic almost anyone including animals”
- Our Miss Universe calls herself a “closet singer”.
- She loves “writing couplets in my mother tongue Punjabi”
- Last but not the least, she believes in the saying – “Great things happen to those who don’t stop believing, trying, learning, and being grateful.”