Harnaaz Sandhu of India was crowned Miss Universe 2021 on Sunday, marking the end of a controversial pageant hosted this year in southern Israel. In a speech on stage during the pageant, Sandhu urged young people to “know that you are unique and that’s what makes you beautiful, stop comparing yourself to others. Nadia Ferreira of Paraguay and Lalela Mswane of South Africa were the first and second runners-up, respectively. But Mswane with the backing of the Miss South Africa organization chose to travel to Israel and compete. Other figures, including Miss Israel, Noa Cochva, responded with a common refrain heard from pageant organizers and contestants: Miss Universe should not be about politics.

Source: Punch December 13, 2021 07:56 UTC