This just in: The winner of Miss Universe 2021 is Harnaaz Sandhu from India! The 70th edition of the international beauty pageant, which took place in Eilat, Israel earlier today (13 December, 8AM SGT), saw 80 women from all over the world competing for the crown. Read on to learn more about Miss Universe 2021 winner Harnaaz Sandhu and the top two runners-up, Nadia Ferreira from Paraguay and Lalela Lali Mswane from South Africa.
The new Miss Universe is...India!!!! #MISSUNIVERSE pic.twitter.com/DTiOKzTHl4
— Miss Universe (@MissUniverse) December 13, 2021
Miss Universe 2021 winner: Harnaaz Sandhu from India
“Great things happen to those who don’t stop believing, trying, learning, and being grateful,” is Harnaaz Sandhu’s favourite saying and indeed, even greater things are coming for the 21-year-old actress. Harnaaz is expected to star in two Punjabi movies in 2022.
Harnaaz is a strong advocate for women’s empowerment and is passionate about speaking up for their constitutional rights to education, careers and freedom of choice. Growing up, Harnaaz worked alongside her mother at health camps to address women’s health and menstrual hygiene. She also cites her mother as her greatest inspiration as her mother broke “generations of patriarchy” to become a successful gynaecologist.
Harnaaz’s coincidental connection with Priyanka Chopra
Harnaaz revealed that her favourite actor is 39-year-old Indian actress and producer Priyanka Chopra. Coincidentally, the latter is a former pageant queen herself, who won Miss World and Miss India in 2000. Similar to Harnaaz’s mother, Priyanka’s mother Madhu Chopra is a medical professional too, who served as a doctor in the armed forces and has over eight different medical certifications. Priyanka has also cited her mother as her greatest inspiration on numerous occasions. Talk about raising generations of strong and successful women!
Miss Universe 2021 first runner-up: Nadia Ferreira from Paraguay
Nadia is an established model who has appeared in leading fashion magazines such as Glamour Bulgaria, Marie Claire Arabia and Harper’s Bazaar Vietnam. The 22-year-old has received multiple accolades for her involvement in social work. She worked with the First Lady of Paraguay in various social aid programmes and is also a proud girl scout. She is also a polyglot — she’s fluent in English, Portuguese, Spanish and Guaraní, the native Paraguayan language.
Miss Universe 2021 second runner-up: Lalela Lali Mswane from South Africa
Lalela is a model, ballerina and law graduate from the University of Pretoria, one of the top universities in Africa. The 24-year-old also founded her very own non-governmental organisation, the Lalela Mswane Foundation, which strives to empower South African youths through mentorship programmes and provide them with the tools they need to succeed in their career paths. When asked about the most important life lesson that she’s learnt thus far, Lalea shared the following quote: “Everything will be okay in the end, if it’s not okay, it’s not the end.”
(Cover photos from: @harnaazsandhu_03)
Next, learn more about the top five finalists of the 69th Miss Universe pageant.
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