Who is Miss Universe winner Harnaaz Sandhu?
ON December 12, 2021, Harnaaz Sandhu took home the crown and title at the Miss Universe 2021 event.
Born: 3 March 2000 (age 21 years), Chandigarh
Education: Shivalik Public School, Post Graduate Government College for Girls
Her win marks the third time that a contestant from India has won the Miss Universe title and is the first winner from that country since 2000.
Harnaaz Sandhu was crowned Miss Universe 2021Credit: EPA Who is Miss Universe winner Harnaaz Sandhu?
Born March 3, 2000, Sandhu, 21, is known as an Indian model and beauty pageant titleholder who was born in Chandigarh, India.
Over the years, she has won multiple titles including Miss Chandigarh in 2017, Miss Max Emerging Star India in 2018, Femina Miss India Punjab in 2019, and Miss Diva Universe in 2021.
Outside of competing, Sandhu reportedly enjoys yoga, dancing, cooking, horseback riding, playing chess, and swimming while she works on starting a career in acting, according to her Miss Universe bio.
What has Harnaaz Sandhu said about Priyanka Chopra?
Priyanka Chopra Jonas, 39, is known professionally as an Indian actress, model, film producer, and singer.
Following Sandhu's Miss Diva 2021 win, she discussed her inspirations stating that Chopra is one of the biggest.
“I love Priyanka Chopra. So whatever lessons I can learn from her is nevertheless. So I will always choose Priyanka," Sandhu said, according to the Times of India.
Chopra is also a former beauty pageant queen and won the Miss World 2000 pageant.
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“She has created her own brand and represented India, not only in beauty pageants but also through her acting and singing talent,” Sandhu reportedly continued.
“She has made India proud and I am hoping to follow her footsteps and bring glory back the way she did.”
Following Sandhu's Miss Universe win, she got a shoutout from Chopra, who took to Twitter to congratulate her.
"Congratulations @HarnazzSandhu03 ... bringing the crown home after 21 years!" she wrote.
Prior to Sandhu's Miss Universe win, only two other women from India had won the title including Sushmita Sen in 1994 and Lara Dutta in 2000.
Harnaaz Sandhu is an Indian model : Is Harnaaz Sandhu in a relationship?
With over 1.2million followers on Instagram, Sandhu often updates fans on her life.
Despite being in the public eye, at this time it remains unclear if she is in a relationship.
Miss India Harnaaz Sandhu is crowned the 70th Miss Universe
Miss Universe 2021: Meet Harnaaz Sandhu from India who brought home the title after 21 years
The coveted Miss Universe title has finally returned home — after 21 years — as Chandigarh-born Harnaaz Sandhu was declared the winner of the 70th edition of the pageant on Sunday night in Eliat, Israel.
Actor Lara Dutta had last won the title in 2000.
In second place was Miss Paraguay Nadia Ferreira, followed by Miss South Africa Lalela Mswane.
The model, who’s Instagram bio reads, “Shine like the whole Universe is yours”, had previously won ‘Miss Diva Universe 2021’ title that paved her way to the Miss Universe 2021 pageant.
Harnaaz, who started modelling at a young age, gradually made her way to beauty pageants and won her first pageant — Miss Chandigarh 2017.
As per her Miss Universe delegate bio, Harnaaz, a Punjabi, draws inspiration from her mother, who “broke generations of patriarchy to become a successful gynecologist and led her family”.
Harnaaz Sandhu is extremely close to her family (Harnaaz Sandhu/Instagram Stories)
“Driven to support other women the same way, Harnaaz grew up working with her mother at health camps addressing women’s health and menstrual hygiene. Deeply conscious of the privilege her mother’s struggles have gifted her, Harnaaz today is a strong advocate for women’s empowerment, particularly their constitutional rights to education, careers, and their freedom of choice,” the bio reads.
Harnaaz, who is an actor by profession, is inspired by actor and Miss World 2000 Priyanka Chopra and her body of work.
Former Miss Universe Lara Dutta also congratulated her on the win.
“In her spare time, Harnaaz enjoys the company of friends, loves yoga, dancing, cooking, horse riding, and playing chess. She is a water baby and never misses a chance to jump into a pool to rejuvenate herself. She believes in the saying – “Great things happen to those who don’t stop believing, trying, learning, and being grateful,” reads her delegate bio.
Did you know these fun facts about Harnaaz?
*She can “mimic almost anyone including animals”*She is a “closet singer”*Loves “writing couplets in my mother tongue Punjabi”
In the run up to the finale, the actor-model wrote how she is “already a winner” as she shared a video which shows her praying at Amritsar’s Golden Temple.
“Faith is unseen. It’s felt. It’s the feeling I have in my heart today. I have faith in God, my family and the blessings you all have showered on me. I have enjoyed my journey and as we near the end of this beautiful pageant, I want to re-live memories with my family, my Punjab. I want you all to know, that I’m grateful for each and every one of you and for all the experiences I had in these 1.5 months. I’m already a winner. I have you all. See you at the Miss Universe 2021 Finale!” she wrote.
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After Sushmita Sen and Lara Dutta, Harnaaz Sandhu brings home Miss Universe crown
New Delhi, Dec 13 : Harnaaz Sandhu's Twitter bio reads, "Shine like the whole Universe is yours," and it certainly is, as she was crowned the 70th Miss Universe at the Universe Dome in Eilat, Israel.
Sandhu is the third winner of the title from India, after Sushmita Sen and Lara Dutta who won the prestigious spot in 1994 and 2000 respectively.
Sandhu has previously won the Femina Miss India Punjab 2019 and Miss Diva Universe 2021 titles. She has also acted in Punjabi films such as "Yaara Diyan Poo Baran" and "Bai Ji Kuttange." Former Miss Universe Lara Dutta congratulated her on her victory, tweeting, "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!! @MissDivaOrg @MissUniverse"Following Sushmita Sen, actress Lara Dutta Bhupathi became the second Indian to win the title. She was crowned the 49th Miss Universe in Nicosia, Cyprus. She later made her Bollywood debut in 2003 with the film "Andaaz." Lara was last seen in the new film "Bell Bottom," which stars Akshay Kumar, Vaani Kapoor, and Huma Qureshi.
Sushmita Sen, the first Indian woman to ever be crowned Miss Universe in 1994 in a glittering ceremony in the Philippines, has yet to make a statement and is currently promoting the second season of "Aarya", a hit series on an OTT platform. Sen has two adopted daughters, Renee and Alisah.
Much like her predecessors, Sandhu revealed to IANS earlier this year that she too has Bollywood aspirations.
We wish the 21-year-old a successful reign as Miss Universe.