Indian beauty queen Harnaaz Sandhu was crowned Miss Universe 2021 on Sunday.
In her speech, Sandhu encouraged young people to “know that you are unique and that’s what makes you beautiful, stop comparing yourself to others. I believed in myself, and that’s why I’m standing here today.”
Sandhu is an actress. She is also currently studying for a master’s degree in public administration. She was handed the crown by last year’s winner, Andrea Meza of Mexico.
The pageant was held in the middle of the night in Eilat, Israel. Eighty women from around the world took part in the competition. Nadia Ferreira of Paraguay and Lalela Mswane of South Africa were the first and second runners-up, respectively.
The pageant faced controversy in the weeks leading up to the event.
A Palestinian boycott organization urged countries to back out of the competition, citing Israel’s treatment of Palestinians.
“We urge all participants to withdraw, to avoid complicity in Israel’s apartheid regime and its violation of Palestinian human rights,” the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel wrote.
South Africa also withdrew its support for Miss South Africa because of her participation in Israel’s Red Sea resort pageant.
“The atrocities committed by Israel against Palestinians are well documented,” the government said in a statement, adding that it “cannot in good conscience associate itself with such.”
Speaking to AP News, Meza said the pageant should steer clear of politics. “Everyone with different beliefs, with different backgrounds, with different cultures, they all come together and when you are in there you forget about politics, about your religion,” she said. “It’s just about embracing other women.”
