Harnaaz Sandhu

Harnaaz Sandhu
Sandhu in 2022
Born	Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu (2000-03-03) 3 March 2000 (age 24) Gurdaspur, Punjab, India
Height	1.75 m (5 ft 9 in) [1]
Beauty pageant titleholder
Title	Femina Miss India Punjab 2019 Miss Universe India 2021 Miss Universe 2021
Major competition(s)	Femina Miss India 2019 (top 12) Miss Universe 2021 (winner)

Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu (born 3 March 2000) ^[2] 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.

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

Early life and education

Sandhu was born in the village of Kohali in Gurdaspur district, Punjab, to parents Pritampal Singh Sandhu and Rabinder Kaur Sandhu. ^[3] Her father is a realtor and her mother is a gynecologist. She also has one sibling. ^[3] Sandhu was raised in a Punjabi Jat Sikh family. ^{[4] [5]}

In 2006, she moved to England, before returning to India two years later and settling in Chandigarh. ^{[6] [3]} 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. ^[7] In addition to her native language Punjabi, Sandhu is also fluent in Hindi and English. ^[8]

Pageantry

When 17, Sandhu won Miss Chandigarh 2017, a regional contest. ^[9] Subsequently, she participated in the Times Fresh Face Contest 2017, where she was adjudged as the 1st runner-up. ^{[10] [11]} She later won the title - Miss Max Emerging Star India 2018. ^[12]

She auditioned for the regional Femina Miss Punjab 2019 contest, and she emerged as the winner. ^[13] This gave her the right to participate in Femina Miss India 2019. ^[14]

Femina Miss India 2019

Main article: Femina Miss India 2019

Sandhu represented the state of Punjab at Femina Miss India 2019, reaching the top 12. ^[15] 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. ^[16] At the end of the event, Suman Rao of Rajasthan, won Femina Miss India World. ^[17]

Miss Diva 2021

Main article: Miss Diva 2021

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. ^{[18] [19]}

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. ^{[20] [21]}

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. ^[22]

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. ^[22]

Miss Universe 2021

Sandhu snapped at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi after returning to India as Miss Universe 2021.

Main article: Miss Universe 2021

Sandhu represented India and won Miss Universe 2021 on 13 December 2021 in Eilat, Israel. ^{[23] [24] [25]} In the national costume round, Sandhu wore a pink royal lehenga with matching pink umbrella adorned with mirrors. ^[26]

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. ^[27]

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. ^[28]

Sandhu was announced Miss Universe 2021 by host Steve Harvey and crowned by the outgoing titleholder Andrea Meza of Mexico. ^{[29] [30] [31]}

As Miss Universe, Sandhu traveled to Israel, ^[32] various cities within the United States, ^[33] the Philippines, ^[34] Indonesia, ^[35] Vietnam, ^[36] South Africa, Colombia, Thailand, ^[37] 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. ^[38]

Filmography

Sandhu at Grazia Millennial Awards 2022

Films

Year	Title	Role	Language	Ref.
2021	Yaara Diyan Poon Baran	Unknown	Punjabi	[39]
2022	Bai Ji Kuttan Ge	Harleen	Punjabi

Television

Year	Title	Role	Notes	Ref.
2019	Miss India 2019	Herself/Contestant		[40]
2021	Udaariyaan	Manika Suri	Cameo role	[41]
	Miss Diva Universe 2021	Herself/Contestant/Winner	National pageant	[42]
	Miss Universe 2021	Herself/Contestant/Winner	International pageant	[43]
	Good Morning America	Herself	Guest appearance
2022	India's Got Talent	Herself	Guest appearance
	Miss Universe Vietnam 2022	Herself	Judge	[44]

Music videos

Year	Title	Singer(s)	Label	Ref.
2019	Tarhthalli	The Landers	Sony Music India	[45]

Awards

Year	Association	Category	Result	Ref.
2022	Grazia India	Global Millennial of the Year	Won

References

1. Bhagchandani, Umesh (15 December 2021). "Meet Miss Universe 2021, Harnaaz Sandhu: the pageant's third Indian winner is a yoga addict, stans Priyanka Chopra and won in a dress by trans designer Saisha Shinde". South China Morning Post . Archived from the original on 21 February 2022. Retrieved 21 February 2022. During the competition, the five-foot-nine (1.75-metre) model wowed the audience with her performance ...
2. "Birthday girl Harnaaz Sandhu shares her favourites, from cuisine to dream destination". The Indian Express. 3 March 2022.
3. "Once a small-town girl, Miss Universe Harnaaz Sandhu capturing hearts across globe". Hindustan Times . 14 December 2021.
4. Rohtaki, Hina (14 December 2021). "'Harnaaz means everyone's pride, she proved that today'". The Indian Express.
5. "Harnaaz Sandhu is the first Sikh woman to win Miss Universe title". 15 December 2021.
6. "मिस यूनिवर्स के लिए ऐसे तैयारी कर रही हैं हरनाज संधू, तीनों ही स्टार्स ने खोले जिंदगी के राज". Times Now (in Hindi). 11 October 2021.
7. "Who is Harnaaz Sandhu? The Miss Universe 2021 from India". Hindustan Times. 13 December 2021.
8. "Harnaaz Sandhu, Miss Universe 2021 From Punjab (The Land of Farmers) Makes India Proud". Krishi Jagran. 14 December 2021.
9. "From Miss Chandigarh to Miss Universe 2021: India's Harnaaz Sandhu brings home crown after 21 years". CNBC TV18. 14 December 2021.
10. Singh, Lakshita (15 December 2021). "Take A Look Back At Harnaaz Sandhu's Life Before She Was Crowned Miss Universe". HerZindagi.com.
11. "Everything about Harnaaz Sandhu, who brought Miss Universe crown home after 21 years". India TV. 13 December 2021.
12. "Imtiaj Haque and Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu win Max Emerging Stars 2018". The Times of India. 27 April 2018.
13. "Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu: Here are few things you didn't know about Miss Universe 2021!". The Economic Times. 13 December 2018.
14. "Miss Diva 2018: Chandigarh Auditions". Beautypageants.in. 8 July 2018.
15. "Crowning the winners of Miss India North 2019". The Times of India. 7 March 2019.
16. "Miss India 2019 Contestants". beautypageants.indiatimes.com. Retrieved 13 December 2021
17. "Miss India 2019 winner is Suman Rao from Rajasthan". India Today. 16 June 2019.
18. "Unveiling of LIVA Miss Diva 2021 Top 50 Contestants!". beautypageants.indiatimes.com.
19. "Presenting the winners of LIVA Miss Diva 2021 sub-contest". beautypageants.indiatimes.com.
20. "'Want to make India proud at Miss Universe 2021': Harnaaz Sandhu". The Indian Express. 11 October 2021.
21. "Chandigarh's Harnaaz Sandhu crowned winner of LIVA Miss Diva Universe 2021". The Tribune. 1 October 2021. Retrieved 8 December 2021.
22. "Chandigarh's Harnaaz Sandhu crowned LIVA Miss Diva Universe 2021". beautypageants.indiatimes.com.
23. "Miss Universe 2021 to be held in Israel, Steve Harvey to return as host". USA Today . 20 July 2021. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
24. "LIVE UPDATES: 70th Miss Universe coronation". CNN Philippines . 13 December 2021. Archived from the original on 12 December 2021. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
25. "India's Harnaaz Sandhu is crowned Miss Universe 2021". CNN . 12 December 2021.
26. "All the outfits Harnaaz Sandhu wore for Miss Universe 2021". The Times of India.
27. "Watch: Miss Universe 2021 winner Harnaaz Sandhu's response to the final question". 13 December 2021.
28. https://beautypageants.indiatimes.com/miss-universe/miss-universe-2022-top-3-finalists-qa/articleshow/97001145.cms?from=mdr. 15 January 2023
29. "India's Harnaaz Sandhu wins Miss Universe 2021". Philippine Star . 13 December 2021.
30. "Harnaaz Sandhu of India named 70th Miss Universe". San Francisco Chronicle . 12 December 2021. Archived from the original on 13 December 2021. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
31. "India's Harnaaz Sandhu Brings Home Miss Universe Crown After 21 Years". NDTV.com. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
32. "Miss India wins Miss Universe held in Israel amid boycott calls". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 17 January 2023.
33. "Harnaaz Sandhu is the real show stealer at the Miss USA 2022 event in a glamorous thigh-slit gown: Watch videos". Hindustan Times. 4 October 2022. Retrieved 17 January 2023.
34. "Harnaaz Sandhu takes over Philippines in gorgeous printed halter neck dress: All pics inside". Hindustan Times. 24 April 2022. Retrieved 17 January 2023.
35. FOLLOW ME: Harnaaz Sandhu Visits INDONESIA! | Miss Universe , retrieved 17 January 2023
36. "Harnaaz Sandhu is a vision in nude sequin gown for Miss Universe Vietnam red carpet, sends love and respect to Vietnam". Hindustan Times. 27 June 2022. Retrieved 17 January 2023.
37. "Harnaaz Sandhu says goodbye to Thailand after attending Miss Universe Extravaganza event, shares glam pics and video". Hindustan Times. 8 November 2022. Retrieved 17 January 2023.
38. "Miss USA 2022 Winner: R'Bonney Gabriel — Miss Texas Wins". TVLine . 4 October 2022. Retrieved 4 October 2022.
39. "Harnaaz Sandhu: 'Would love to be a part of, not just Bollywood, but Hollywood too'". The Indian Express. 14 December 2021. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
40. "It's so much more than just glamour, says Harnaaz Sandhu". Tribuneindia News Service. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
41. "Did you know Harnaaz Sandhu had a cameo in Udaariyaan?". India Today. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
42. "Harnaaz Sandhu crowned winner of LIVA Miss Diva Universe 2021". The Indian Express. 1 October 2021. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
43. "'Harnaaz means everyone's pride, she proved that today'". The Indian Express. 14 December 2021. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
44. "Hoa hậu Ấn Độ đến Việt Nam". VNExpress (in Vietnamese). 23 June 2022. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
45. "Must-watch movies and music videos of LIVA Miss Diva Universe 2021 Harnaaz Sandhu". Beauty Pageants - India Times. Retrieved 1 January 2022.

External links

Awards and achievements
Preceded by Andrea Meza	Miss Universe 2021	Succeeded by R'Bonney Gabriel
Preceded by Adline Castelino	Miss Diva Universe 2021	Succeeded by Divita Rai
Preceded by Anna Kler	Femina Miss India Punjab 2019	Succeeded by Karuna Singh