Harnaaz Sandhu

Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu (born 3 March 2000) is an Indian actress and beauty queen who was crowned Miss Universe 2021.

She had been previously crowned Miss Universe India 2021 and is the third entrant from India to win Miss Universe.

In 2006, she moved to England, before returning to India two years later and settling in Chandigarh.

She attended Shivalik Public School and the Post Graduate Government College for Girls, both in Chandigarh.

Prior to becoming Miss Universe, Sandhu was pursuing a master's degree in public administration.

In addition to her native language Punjabi, Sandhu is also fluent in Hindi and English.

When 17, Sandhu won Miss Chandigarh 2017, a regional contest.

Subsequently, she participated in the Times Fresh Face Contest 2017, where she was adjudged as the 1st runner-up.

She later won the title - Miss Max Emerging Star India 2018.

Sandhu was previously crowned Femina Miss India Punjab in 2019, and was a semifinalist at Femina Miss India 2019 pageant.

Sandhu was born in the village of Kohali in Gurdaspur district, Punjab, to parents Pritampal Singh Sandhu and Rabinder Kaur Sandhu.

Her father is a realtor and her mother is a gynecologist.

She also has one sibling.

Sandhu was raised in a Punjabi Jat Sikh family.

She auditioned for the regional Femina Miss Punjab 2019 contest, and she emerged as the winner.

This gave her the right to participate in Femina Miss India 2019.

Sandhu represented the state of Punjab at Femina Miss India 2019, reaching the top 12.

During the finale, she was asked a question by one of the judges - "If you were to be featured in a popular magazine cover, which cover would it be and why?"

to which Sandhu replied that she would wish to be featured in the Femina magazine.

At the end of the event, Suman Rao of Rajasthan, won Femina Miss India World.

During the preliminary competition held on 22 September, Sandhu won the Miss Beautiful Skin award and became a finalist for Miss Beach Body, Miss Beautiful Smile, Miss Photogenic, and Miss Talented.

She was one of the top 10 semifinalists at the main contest.

During the opening statement round, she said:

"From a young girl with fragile mental health who faced bullying and body shaming to a woman who emerged like a phoenix, realizing her true potential. From an individual who once doubted her own existence to a woman who is aspiring to inspire the youth. Today, I stand proudly in front of the Universe as a courageous, vivacious, and compassionate woman who is all set to lead a life with a purpose, and to leave behind a remarkable legacy."

During the final question and answer round, as one of the top 5 contestants, she had selected "Global Warming and Climate Change", to which she said:

"One day, life will flash before your eyes, make sure it's worth watching. However, this is not the life you want to watch, where the climate is changing and the environment is dying. It is one of the fiasco[s] that we humans have done to the environment. I do believe that we still have time to undo our irresponsible behavior. Earth is all we have in common and our small acts as individuals when multiplied by billions can transform the whole world. Start now, from tonight, switch off those extra lights when not in use. Thank you."

At the end of the event, Sandhu was crowned as the winner by the outgoing titleholder Adline Castelino, and went on to represent India at the Miss Universe 2021.

Sandhu represented India and won Miss Universe 2021 on 13 December 2021 in Eilat, Israel.

In the national costume round, Sandhu wore a pink royal lehenga with matching pink umbrella adorned with mirrors.

During the top 5 question and answer round, Sandhu picked Rena Sofer, who asked her "many people think climate change is a hoax, what would you do to convince them to take it seriously?"

She answered:

"Honestly, my heart breaks to see how nature is going through a lot of problems and it is all due to our irresponsible behavior and I totally feel that this is the time to take actions and talk less because our each action could either kill or save nature. Prevent and protect is better than repent and repair, this is what I am trying to convince you guys today. Thank you."

Advancing to the top 3, in the final question and answer portion, host Steve Harvey asked: "What advice would you give to young women watching on how to deal with the pressures they face today?"

Sandhu replied:

"Well I think the biggest pressure the youth of today is facing is to believe in themselves. To know that you are unique and that is what makes you beautiful, stop comparing yourselves with others and let's talk about more important things that's happening worldwide. I think this is what you need to understand, come out, speak for yourself 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. Thank you."

Sandhu was announced Miss Universe 2021 by host Steve Harvey and crowned by the outgoing titleholder Andrea Meza of Mexico.

As Miss Universe, Sandhu traveled to Israel, various cities within the United States, the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, South Africa, Colombia, Thailand, and her home country of India.

On 14 January 2023, Sandhu crowned R'Bonney Gabriel of the United States as her successor at Miss Universe 2022 at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States.