Harnaaz Sandhu of India named 70th Miss Universe
From left: South Africa's Lalela Mwswane, India's Harnaaz Sandhu & Paraquay's Nadia Ferreira
Harnaaz Sandhu of India was crowned the 70th Miss Universe on Sunday (Dec 12), topping a field of some 80 contestants in a pageant that was touched by politics and the pandemic. The previously reigning Miss Universe, Andrea Meza of Mexico, crowned her successor in the Israeli Red Sea resort town of Eilat. The pageant was held in the middle of the night, wrapping up at 5am local time (11am Singapore time) to accommodate the primetime schedule in the US.
The pageant included traditional displays of national costumes, evening gowns and swimwear, as well as a series of interview questions to test contestants' public speaking skills. But it also drew attention in recent weeks for other reasons. A grassroots Palestinian-led boycott had urged contestants to skip the event to protest Israel’s treatment of the Palestinians.
In the end, only Malaysia, a predominantly Muslim country with close ties to the Palestinians, did not send a representative, citing the global COVID-19 situation.
Miss India Wins Miss Universe With Help of Cat Impression
A new Miss Universe has been crowned, this year from India. Haarnaz Sandhu, a 21-year-old actress from India, broke down in tears when she beat out 79 other hopefuls from around the world. The swimsuit competition featured more modest swimwear than previous years, with the winner donning a one-piece. Host Steve Harvey is getting some criticism online today for asking the winning Miss India to do an animal impression, but she delivered a convincing cat’s meow!
Host Steve Harvey slammed for asking Miss India to meow on stage during Miss Universe 2021 segment
While contestants had a chance to talk about their accomplishments and work, Miss Universe host Steve Harvey instead posed a quirky question to Miss India, Harnaaz Sandhu, on Dec. 12. This was before Sandhu was eventually crowned Miss Universe in Eilat, Israel that night, bringing the title back to India for the third time after 21 years.
"I hear you do some pretty good animal impersonations," Harvey said when it came to Sandhu's turn. While Sandhu appeared stunned, Harvey looked at his cue cards and said, "Yeah, they got that question, let's hear your best one." The 21-year-old actress and advocate for women's empowerment took the question in her stride:
"Oh my god, Steve, I was not expecting to do this on world stage. Uh, but I have to do this, I have no other option. I love cats, I love animals, I would love to make a cat. Brace yourselves, everyone."
Sandhu put her hands up with a cat and meow-ed several times.
Miss Universe 2021 Japan entry slammed for wearing “dead person’s kimono”
The 70th Miss Universe pageant was held at Universe Dome in Eilat, Israel, this year, with 80 contestants from around the world vying to take home the title. Here in Japan, all eyes were on the Japanese contestant, Juri Watanabe, when she strutted out on stage in front of millions for the National Costume Show on 10 December. While Watanabe looked amazing, and held herself with poise like the seasoned professional she is, people in Japan fired up about what she was wearing, with many calling it an “insult” to Japanese culture.
As the host says in the video, the costume is designed to celebrate “the incredible Japanese Harajuku fashion culture“. This design inspiration is likely where the problems started, because rather than showcase the national costume to the world in a modern way that remains sensitive to the culture of the country, this costume ended up mashing together stereotypes that are known to rub people in Japan up the wrong way.
Another thing that bothered people was the way the kimono was folded over the model’s chest — right over left, which is only seen on kimono worn by dead people. Seeing a kimono folded this way has a triggering effect on people in Japan, who make the connection with the deceased when they see it, so when it was shown on an international stage to represent their country, online commenters didn’t hold back with their opinions.
Miss India wins Miss Universe; Singapore makes it to 2nd round for first time in 34 years
Miss Singapore Nandita Banna appears on stage during the national costume presentation of the 70th Miss Universe beauty pageant in Israel on Dec 10, 2021. PHOTO: AFP
Miss India Harnaaz Sandhu was crowned Miss Universe in the Israeli city of Eilat early on Monday, with several contestants defying pressure to boycott in support of the Palestinians.
The 70th edition of the annual pageant, held in Israel for the first time, has also faced complications from the coronavirus pandemic. Sandhu took the top prize in the Red Sea resort with Paraguay's Nadia Ferreira first runner-up and Miss South Africa Lalela Mswane taking the second runner-up spot. Singapore, represented by Nandita Banna, 21, made it to the top 16. The was the first time the city-state has reached the second round of the pageant since 1987's Marion Nicole Teo.
South Africa's Ministry of Sports, Culture and Arts had urged its contestant to stay away from Eilat, citing "atrocities committed by Israel against Palestinians." The call echoed Palestinian groups who pleaded with contestants to avoid the event.
Miss Singapore makes it to top 16 of Miss Universe pageant, for first time in 34 years
Reigning Miss Universe Singapore Nandita Banna made history for the country at the 70th Miss Universe competition by cracking the Top 16
It may have taken India 21 years to reclaim the Miss Universe title. But it has been an even longer 34-year wait since a Singaporean made it to the semi-finals of the international beauty pageant, after Ms Marion Nicole Teo's feat in 1987, when the annual event was held in Singapore.
Reigning Miss Universe Singapore Nandita Banna, 21, made history for the country at the 70th Miss Universe competition in Eilat, Israel, on Monday morning (Dec 13) by cracking the Top 16.
Miss Harnaaz Sandhu of India was crowned the winner out of 80 delegates - succeeding her compatriot Lara Dutta in 2000 - followed by Paraguay and South Africa in first and second runner-up places respectively.
Miss Universe S’pore Reaches Top 16 For 1st Time Since 1987
When Singapore sends a representative to Miss Universe, we don’t expect much. Apart from a few laughs over the national costume, the annual Miss Singapore usually doesn’t make too big a splash.
This time, however, was different, as Ms Nandita Banna made us proud by making it to the top 16 out of 80 contestants. While that may not sound like much to some, it’s actually the highest placing for a Miss Universe Singapore in the pageant since 1987.
Ms Nandita, a Singapore Management University (SMU) student, arrived in Eilat, Israel on 28 Nov for the 70th Miss Universe competition with high hopes indeed.
The 69th Miss Universe Pageant
Andrea Meza, 26, is from Chihuahua City, and represented her home country, Mexico, as Miss Universe Mexico, in the 69th annual Miss Universe competition.
Andrea has a degree in software engineering, and is an activist, focused on women's rights and currently works closely with the Municipal Institute for Women, which aims to end gender-based violence. She is also a certified make-up artist and model, who is also passionate about being active and living a healthy lifestyle.
She is vegan, and enjoys extreme sports in her free time. Andrea is also the official Tourism Brand Ambassador for her hometown, Chihuahua, promoting the best touristic attractions and rich culture her beautiful home offers.
Miss Universe 1952 - The first Miss Universe pageant
Armi Kuusela of Finland as Miss Universe 1952
Miss Universe 1952 was the first Miss Universe pageant, held at the Long Beach Municipal Auditorium in Long Beach, California, United States on 28 June 1952.
At the end of the event, actress Piper Laurie crowned Armi Kuusela of Finland as Miss Universe 1952. It was the first victory of Finland in the history of the pageant.
Contestants from 30 countries and territories participated in this year's pageant. The pageant was hosted by Bob Russell. The competition featured the Romanov Imperial Nuptial Crown, which was previously owned by a Russian czar. The crown was said to have 1,535 diamonds, 300 carats, and was valued at $500,000.
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