There’s new royalty in theMiss Universeworld!
On Sunday, Miss IndiaHarnaaz Sandhuwas officially named Miss Universe 2021.
Sandhu, 21, beat out 79 other contestants from various countries and territories — including runner-up Miss ParaguayNadia Ferreiraand second runner-up Miss South AfricaLalela Mswane— to claim the prestigious title.
A strong advocate for women’s empowerment, Sandhu is actor who draws inspiration fromPriyanka Chopra. In her spare time, she enjoys yoga, dancing, cooking, horse riding and playing chess.
MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty
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 the United Arab Emirates has ever competed and the first time in over four decades that Miss Universe Morocco has returned to the pageant.
Miss Universe 2021 was held seven months after Meza, 27,earned the 2020 crown this past May.
Her win came about five months later than usual because the annual pageant went on a hiatus due to the ongoingCOVID-19 pandemic.
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.”
Sunday’s show also marked the first time that Harvey, 64, returned to the Miss Universe competition since 2019.
source: people.com
