On Monday, the 21-year-old actress-model Harnaaz Sandhu created history by winning Miss Universe 2021 crown. Sandhu beat participants from 80 different countries to bring the title home after 21 years. Besides Sandhu, the only two Indians who have owned the title of miss universe are- Sushmita Sen (1994) and Lara Dutta (2000).
Kareena Kapoor wrote, “Congratulations to the newly crowned #MissUniverse @harnaazsandhu_03”, alongwith a video of Sandhu winning the crown.
Kangana shared a picture of Harnaaz’s victory moment on her Instagram Stories and wrote, “What delightful news… Congratulations @harnaazsandhu_0.”
Miss Universe 2000, Lara Dutta welcomed her in ‘Miss Universe Club’ and wrote, “Congratulations, @HarnaazSandhu03! Welcome to the club! We’ve waited 21 long years for this! You make us so, so proud! A billion dreams come true!”
Miss World 2000, Priyanka Chopra Jonas also congratulated Harnaaz. The actress shared a video of the moment when Harnaaz’s name was announced as Miss Universe 2021 and captioned it, “And the new Miss Universe is… Miss India.” She added, “Congratulations @harnaazsandhu_03 (for) bringing the crown home after 21 years.”
Miss Asia Pacific 2000, Dia Mirza also shared a shout-out for Harnaaz and wrote in an Instagram Story, “What a spectacular feeling and moment this is. Miss India wins Miss Universe 21 years after Lara Dutta,”
Harnaaz is from Chandigarh and is pursuing her master’s degree in public administration. During the final question and answer round, Harnaaz was asked what advice would she like to give to young women on how to deal with the pressures they face today.
She replied, “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,”
While talking about her glorious win, Harnaaz said, “I am immensely grateful to the almighty, my parents, and the Miss India Organisation for guiding and supporting me throughout. Loads of love to everyone who prayed and wished the crown for me. she added, “Bringing the glorious crown back after 21 years to India is a moment of greatest pride.”
The 70th pageant ceremony took place at the Israeli Red Sea resort town at Eilat, Israel. It was broadcast to over 600 million viewers across 172 countries.
