Miss Universe 2021: Harnaaz Sandhu becomes third Indian to bag title after Sushmita Sen, Lara Dutta

Actor-model Harnaaz Sandhu made history as she was crowned Miss Universe 2021 at a glittering event held at the Universe Dome in Eilat, Israel. The 21-year-old from Punjab beat contestants from 80 countries to bring home the title after 21 years. Only two Indians before Sandhu have won the title of Miss Universe – actors Sushmita Sen in 1994 and Lara Dutta in 2000.

Actor-model Harnaaz Sandhu made history as she was crowned Miss Universe 2021 during the 70th Miss Universe pageant held in Israel. Credit: AP/PTI Photo

Beating contestants from 80 countries, Harnaaz brought home the title after a long wait of 21 years. Credit: AFP Photo

Paraguay's Nadia Ferreira, 22, finished second and South Africa's Lalela Mswane, 24, came third. In this photo, Harnaaz is flanked by Lalela and Nadia. Credit: Reuters Photo

Harnaaz was crowned by her predecessor Andrea Meza of Mexico, who won the pageant in 2020. Credit: AFP Photo

Only two Indians have won the title of Miss Universe before Sandhu – actors Sushmita Sen in 1994 and Lara Dutta in 2000. Credit: AFP Photo

Miss India, Harnaaz Sandhu, presents herself on stage during the preliminary stage of the 70th Miss Universe beauty pageant at Red Sea coastal city of Eilat in Israel. Credit: AFP Photo

Harnaaz Sandhu sashays down the ramp during the national costume presentation of the 70th Miss Universe beauty pageant at Red Sea coastal city of Eilat in Israel. Credit: AFP Photo

Miss India Harnaaz Sandhu walks the ramp during the swimsuit competition of the 70th Miss Universe beauty pageant in Israel's southern Red Sea coastal city of Eilat. Credit: AFP Photo

US TV host Steve Harvey interacts with Miss India, Harnaaz Sandhu. Credit: AFP Photo

Sandhu started her journey in pageantry when she won Times Fresh Face in 2017, representing Chandigarh at the age of 17. She later won the LIVA Miss Diva Universe 2021 title. Credit: AFP Photo

Sandhu has also worked in a few Punjabi films, including