Honestly, it feels like forever ago, but the moment Steve Harvey shouted out India's name in Eilat, Israel, the energy changed. People keep asking who won Miss Universe 2021 because that specific year wasn't just another pageant cycle; it was a massive cultural reset for a country that had been waiting decades to reclaim the crown.
Harnaaz Sandhu. That’s the name.
She walked onto that stage with a kind of poise that felt different from the polished, almost robotic precision we usually see. Sandhu was only 21. She was a model and an actress from Chandigarh, and she carried the weight of a 21-year title drought on her shoulders. The last time India took the win was back in 2000 when Lara Dutta owned the stage. Before that? Sushmita Sen in 1994.
The Israel Context and Why It Was Stressful
Winning a pageant is hard enough without a global pandemic and geopolitical tension hanging over your head. The 70th Miss Universe competition was held in December 2021. If you remember, the Omicron variant was just starting to scare everyone again. Israel had basically shut its borders to foreigners, but they made a specific exception for the Miss Universe contestants. It was controversial. Some people weren't happy about the event moving forward, and there were even calls for boycotts due to the political climate in the region.
Harnaaz didn't let it rattle her.
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She landed in Eilat and immediately became a favorite among pageant enthusiasts—the "pageant patties," as some call them. But being a favorite is a double-edged sword. The pressure is immense. You have to be "on" 24/7 because someone is always filming, always judging your outfit, and always checking if you're actually as nice as you seem on Instagram.
That Final Question: The Moment Harnaaz Sealed It
The Top 3 came down to India, Paraguay (Nadia Ferreira), and South Africa (Lalela Mswane). It was a powerhouse trio. Nadia was arguably one of the most beautiful faces the pageant had seen in years, and Lalela was incredibly eloquent.
But Harnaaz did something different during the final word.
The question was about the pressure young women face today and how they should handle it. Most contestants give a standard "believe in yourself" speech. Harnaaz, however, spoke with a raw, almost desperate sincerity. She told young women to stop comparing themselves to others and to speak up for themselves because they are the leaders of their own lives.
"I believed in myself, and that's why I'm standing here today," she said.
It wasn't just the words. It was the delivery. She looked like she meant every syllable. When she was announced as the winner, she broke down. It wasn't one of those "ugly cries" for the camera; it was the release of years of dreaming.
The Meowing Incident (Yes, Really)
If you’re looking for weird trivia about who won Miss Universe 2021, you have to talk about the cat thing. Steve Harvey, in one of his final years hosting, asked Harnaaz to perform her best animal mimicry on live television.
It was awkward.
People on Twitter lost their minds, calling it disrespectful and weird to ask a highly educated, accomplished woman to meow like a cat on a global stage. Harnaaz, though, handled it like a pro. She didn't hesitate. She meowed. She laughed it off. That moment actually helped her win because it showed she didn't take herself too seriously. She was relatable. In a world of curated perfection, a girl meowing like a cat is, weirdly enough, the most human thing you can do.
Life After the Crown: The Body Shaming Struggle
Winning Miss Universe isn't all tiaras and private jets. Harnaaz's reign was actually quite difficult. Shortly after winning, she started facing an onslaught of horrific online bullying because her physical appearance changed. She gained some weight.
People were cruel.
They accused her of being "unprofessional" or "lazy," which is wild considering she was traveling the world as a global ambassador. It turned out she has Celiac disease—an autoimmune condition where you can't eat gluten. The medications and the diet changes caused her body to react.
She used that platform to talk about body positivity in a way that felt authentic. She didn't hide. She walked the runways anyway. She showed up to events looking stunning, regardless of what the "pageant purists" said. This actually made her more of an icon than the win itself did. She proved that a title doesn't define your worth, and your body doesn't define your title.
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Why the 2021 Win Matters for the Industry
The Miss Universe Organization was going through a lot of internal shifts around this time. They were moving away from the "Trump Era" vibes and trying to find women who were more than just models. They wanted advocates.
Harnaaz fit that perfectly.
She had worked extensively on women's health and menstrual hygiene in India long before she ever wore a sash. This wasn't some "world peace" platitude she came up with for the interview. She had the receipts.
If you look at the winners who followed her, like R'Bonney Gabriel from the USA, you can see the trend Harnaaz helped solidify: the "Super-Communicator." You can be the most beautiful woman in the room, but if you can't command a microphone and stay resilient under social media fire, you won't survive the year.
Quick Facts for the Fans
- Venue: Universe Dome, Eilat, Israel.
- First Runner-up: Nadia Ferreira (Paraguay).
- Second Runner-up: Lalela Mswane (South Africa).
- Historical Significance: India's third win in history.
- Harnaaz's Background: She’s a fan of yoga, horse riding, and acting.
What You Should Take Away From This
When we look back at who won Miss Universe 2021, we shouldn't just see a name on a list. Harnaaz Sandhu represented a shift in how we view beauty queens. She wasn't a porcelain doll. She was a woman who dealt with health issues publicly, who stood up to a legendary host's weird questions, and who broke a 21-year streak for her country.
If you're following pageants today, use Harnaaz’s story as a blueprint.
Don't just look at the gowns. Look at how these women handle the "unscripted" moments. That is where the crown is actually won. Whether it's dealing with a health diagnosis in the public eye or navigating a high-pressure interview, the 2021 win showed that resilience is the most attractive trait a person can have.
Next Steps for Enthusiasts:
To truly understand the impact of Harnaaz's win, go back and watch her final interview. Don't just look at her face; listen to the cadence of her voice. Then, compare that to the 2000 win by Lara Dutta. You’ll see the evolution of the Indian "pageant style"—from the poised, regal diplomat to the fiery, modern advocate. If you're interested in the advocacy side, check out the work Harnaaz continues to do with the Global Council for Women’s Health. It gives a lot of context to why she was the choice for the judges that night in Israel.