India wins its 3rd Miss Universe title after fierce battle with Paraguay
India or Paraguay? That´s the question Global Beauties asked right after the Preliminary Competition. And that´s how it went: India won, Paraguay placed 2nd. Reality is that both women shinned bright throughout the few days of competition held in Israel. We can only imagine how close it was between the two and how difficult it was for the judges to reach a decision.
The bottom line is: after three hours of competition, Miss India, Harnaaz Sandhu, was officially named Miss Universe 2021. Sandhu, 21, 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.
Sandhu was crowned by an emotional Miss Universe 2020, Andrea Meza, before taking her first walk as the new Miss Universe on the stage in Eilat, Israel.
A strong advocate for women's empowerment, Sandhu is an actress who draws inspiration from Priyanka Chopra (a Hollywood actress who won the Miss World title in 2000). In her spare time, she enjoys yoga, dancing, cooking, horse riding and playing chess.
Prior to the winning moment, the 70th annual Miss Universe competition, which was hosted by Steve Harvey, featured a swimsuit and evening gown segment, as well as an interview portion for each of the contestants.
Israeli singer and international pop star Noa Kirel also delivered a performance at the pageant, which had a focus on the climate crisis as part of a green agenda that corresponds with the values of Israel.
The competition was a historic one, as it marked the first time that a delegate from Bahrein has ever competed and the first time in over four decades that Miss Universe Morocco has returned to the pageant. Miss United Arab Emirates was supposed to bebut in this year´s pageant, which ended up not happening for undisclosed reasons.
In a statement prior to Sunday's competition, Israeli Tourism Minister Yoel Razvozov said he was thrilled to welcome Miss Universe to his country, even with the ongoing COVID concerns.
"Despite the challenges the COVID-19 pandemic placed in our path, we knew how to maintain the balance between health and the economy, to bring tourism back to Israel," Razvozov said. "We needed to create tourism anchors that will promote and present Israel to the world as a vaccination nation that invites tourists to visit. The Miss Universe pageant is, without [a] doubt, an important and significant anchor of this plan."
The beauties, rich culture, and history of Israel were well and extensively promoted during the 3-hour-long telecast.
Sunday's show also marked the return of Harvey, 64,to the Miss Universe after two years.
The pageant´s top 5 was rounded out by Valeria Ayos of Colombia, and Beatrice Gomez of the Philippines.
Candidates who placed in the Top 10 were Aruba, Thessaly Zimmerman, France, Clémence Botino, Puerto Rico, Michelle Colón, The Bahamas, Chantel O'Brian, and USA, Elle Smith.
The other 6 quarter-finalists (Top 16) were: Great Britain, Emma Collingridge, Japan, Juri Watanabe, Panama, Brenda Smith, Singapore, Nandita Banna, Venezuela, Luiseth Materán, and Vietnam, Nguyễn Huỳnh Kim Duyên.
It was the first time in 70 years that a representative of The Bahamas advance to the 2nd round of competition. Singapore, on the other hand, advanced again after 34 years (the last time it had happened, Singapore hosted the event, in 1987).
Miss Israel, Noa Cochva, the host delegate, did not place.
Judges were Lori Harvey, American model, and daughter of Steve Harvey; Adriana Lima, Victoria´s Secret supermodel, from Brazil; Adamari López, Puerto Rican actress; Iris Mittenaere, Miss Universe 2016, from France; Urvashi Rautela, Indian actress and Miss Universe India 2015; Marian Rivera, Filipino actress, and model; Rena Sofer, American actress (only as final telecast judge); Cheslie Kryst, American television presenter and Miss USA 2019 (only as a preliminary judge); Rina Mor, Miss Universe 1976, from Israel (only as a preliminary judge).
Congratulations to the new Miss Universe! May she have an extraordinary year of reign ahead. Congratulations to Andrea Meza of Mexico, who reigned beautifully as Miss Universe 2020, and who also happens to be the current Miss Grand Slam!