India’s Harnaaz Sandhu crowned Miss Universe 2021

It is a big day for India as Punjab-based Harnaaz Sandhu, who represented the country at the 70th Miss Universe 2021, has won the title. Harnaaz, 21, won the Miss Universe crown 21 years after Lara Dutta won the title in 2000.

At the contest held in Eilat, Israel, Harnaaz Sandhu beat contestants Paraguay and South Africa. Andrea Meza, former Miss Universe 2020 from Mexico, crowned Harnaaz at the event. The Miss Universe event was live-streamed globally.

The news of Harnaaz’s win was posted by the official Twitter account of Miss Universe Organisation. They shared the exact moment the beauty queen has crowned the coveted title at the event being held in Israel.

Harnaaz Sandhu of India was crowned the 70th Miss Universe on Monday (IST), topping a field of some 80 contestants in a pageant that was touched by politics and the pandemic. She beat out 79 other contestants from various countries and territories – including runner-up Miss Paraguay Nadia Ferreira and second runner-up Miss South Africa Lalela Mswane – to claim the prestigious title.

Harnaaz is a 21-year-old model from Chandigarh who finished her school and college in the city. She has been in the industry for many years and even has many numerous pageant titles to her name. She has also starred in Punjabi films like Yaara Diyan Poo Baran and Bai Ji Kuttange.

Harnaaz was the winner of Times Fresh Face Miss Chandigarh 2017, Miss Max Emerging Star India 2018, and Femina Miss India Punjab 2019.