{"id":273435,"date":"2021-12-19T10:18:30","date_gmt":"2021-12-19T10:18:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/luxurylaunches.com\/?p=273435"},"modified":"2021-12-18T12:44:13","modified_gmt":"2021-12-18T12:44:13","slug":"meet-miss-universe-2021-harnaaz-sandhu-the-pageants-third-indian-winner-is-a-yoga-addict-is-a-huge-fan-of-priyanka-chopra-jonas-and-won-in-a-dress-by-trans-designer-saisha-shinde","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/luxurylaunches.com\/celebrities\/meet-miss-universe-2021-harnaaz-sandhu-the-pageants-third-indian-winner-is-a-yoga-addict-is-a-huge-fan-of-priyanka-chopra-jonas-and-won-in-a-dress-by-trans-designer-saisha-shinde.php","title":{"rendered":"Meet Miss Universe 2021, Harnaaz Sandhu: the pageant\u2019s third Indian winner is a yoga addict, is a huge fan of Priyanka Chopra Jonas, and won in a dress by trans designer Saisha Shinde"},"content":{"rendered":"


\nOn December 13, Miss Universe crowned its 70th winner: Miss India Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu, who ended the country\u2019s 21-year-crown-drought at the international competition. Held in Eilat, Israel, the young model edged out Paraguay\u2019s Nadia Ferreira and South Africa\u2019s Lalela Mswane to win the coveted title on Monday. She wore a silver gown with beaded embellishment and plunging neckline as her finale ensemble. The dress was designed by Indian designer Saisha Shinde \u2013 who came out as a transwoman earlier this year.
\n
\nSo, what else do we know about the 21-year-old beauty queen?<\/p>\n

\"\"
Miss Universe 2021 winner Harnaaz Sandhu won a string of pageants before competing in the annual competition. Photo: @harnaazsandhu_03\/Instagram<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\nShe\u2019s no stranger to pageantry<\/strong>
\nDespite her young age, Sandhu is actually a pro at beauty pageants. As informed by her brother, Harnoor, the Miss Universe 2021 winner always had a passion for modelling, acting and dance from an early age, reports Times of India. Sandhu entered her first beauty pageant as a teenager, winning Miss Chandigarh in 2017 and Miss Max Emerging Star India in 2018, before being crowned as Femina Miss India Punjab in 2019 and Miss Diva in 2021 respectively.<\/p>\n

After her historic triumph, the Sandhu family told Tribune India the following: \u201cShe is very confident, down to earth and belongs to a middle class family. Beauty pageants, glamour industry always excited her and she was focused on her goal.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"
Miss Universe 2021, Harnaaz Sandhu is from Chandigarh. Photo: @harnaazsandhu_03\/Instagram<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\nShe believes in women\u2019s empowerment<\/strong>
\nAs quoted from her Miss Universe official profile, Sandhu looks up to her mother for inspiration. While her father is a property agent, her mum Ruby Sandhu is a successful gynaecologist \u201cwho broke generations of patriarchy\u201d.<\/p>\n

Born in the Kohali village in Gurdaspur district, Punjab, she grew up working with her mum at health camps that help address issues on women\u2019s health and menstrual hygiene. She is also a strong advocate for women\u2019s empowerment, particularly their constitutional rights to education, careers and their freedom of choice. Before her win, the yoga enthusiast earned her bachelor\u2019s degree in information technology and was pursuing her master\u2019s in public administration.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Miss Universe 2021 winner Harnaaz Sandhu is a big Priyanka Chopra fan. Photos: Associated Press, Reuters<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\nShe is a huge fan of Priyanka Chopra-Jonas<\/strong>
\nAn aspiring actress, Sandhu has also appeared in two Punjabi films (Bai Ji Kuttange and Yaara Diyan Poo Baran) before winning the coveted title. On her official Miss Universe profile, she shared that Priyanka Chopra-Jonas \u2013 another former pageant queen, crowned Miss World in 2000 \u2013 is her favourite actor and she \u201cdraws inspiration from her body of work\u201d.<\/p>\n
\n

And the new Miss Universe is\u2026 Miss India ✨👏🏽<\/p>\n

Congratulations @HarnaazSandhu03<\/a> \u2026 bringing the crown home after 21 years! https:\/\/t.co\/sXtZzrNct8<\/a><\/p>\n

— PRIYANKA (@priyankachopra) December 13, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n