Harnaaz Sandhu of India was crowned Miss Universe for the 70th time on Sunday, following a pageant loaded with beads, sequins, and swimsuits that was also touched by the pandemic and politics.
As she wiped away tears on stage, Sandhu, an actor pursuing a master’s degree in public administration, received the bejewelled crown from last year’s winner, Andrea Meza of Mexico.
“I’m overwhelmed because it’s been 21 years since India won the Miss Universe crown and it’s happening right now,” Sandhu added. The pageant was staged in the middle of the night in Eilat, Israel, to fit the US primetime schedule, which broadcast late Sunday on FOX.
Contestants that took part
Contestants from 80 nations addressed questions regarding vaccine mandates and whether a person’s social media past should be used against them years later, in addition to the standard beauty pageant acts.
Harnaaz will use her time as Miss Universe to advocate for menstrual equity, according to the pageant organisation. Harnaaz will move to New York City in the new year. While the pageant itself appeared to go off without a hitch, the build-up was not.
Israeli-Palestine Conflict
In protest of the host country’s treatment of Palestinians, a grassroots Palestinian boycott group asked countries not to participate in the event. And, because of her participation in the competition in Israel’s Red Sea resort, Miss South Africa’s government, which has traditionally supported the Palestinian cause, has withdrawn its support for her.
Others, however, cried out against the event being politicised, which was hosted by Steve Harvey, a popular American television personality.
In November, the organiser of the pageant in South Africa stated that it was not a political event and that Lalela Mswane, a model and dancer, was fulfilling a childhood goal by participating.