The Miss Universe pageant, tentacles down the fiercest competition in the cosmos, crowned Harnaaz Sandhu its 70th winner on Sunday. After a brief absence from his usual gig, Steve Harvey returned to host this year’s event.
Eighty contestants competed in this year’s pageant, including the first-ever entry from the Kingdom of Bahrain. But at the close of the two-hour event, only one would receive a crown from reigning Miss Universe Andrea Meza.
This year’s Top 10. They were Thessaly Zimmerman (Aruba), Valeria Ayos (Colombia), Clémence Botino (France), Harnaaz Sandhu (India). Nadia Ferreira (Paraguay), Beatrice Gomez (Philippines). And Michelle Colón (Puerto Rico), Lalela Mswane (South Africa), Chantel O’Brian (Bahamas) and Elle Smith (United States).
That group was halved to reveal Top 5: Ayos (Colombia), Sandhu (India), Ferreira (Paraguay), Gomez (Philippines) and Mswane (South Africa). From there, Ayos and Gomez were sent packing.
The final three contestants — Mswane (South Africa), Sandhu (India) and Ferreira (Paraguay) — were then given the same question to answer. What advice would you give to young women watching on how to deal with the pressures they face today? Mswane encouraged them to “seize courage over comfort” whenever possible. Sandhu theorized that the biggest issue facing today’s youth is a lack of self-confidence and individuality. And Ferreira gave an extremely positive answer about wanting everyone to “join forces to do what you’re meant to do.”
The final results announced:
THIRD PLACE | Lalela Mswane (South Africa)
SECOND PLACE | Nadia Ferreira (Paraguay)
WINNER | Harnaaz Sandhu (India)
This year’s selection committee included American model Lori Harvey, Brazilian model Adriana Lima, Puerto Rican actress Adamari López, Miss Universe 2016 winner (and former Miss France) Iris Mittenaere, Indian actress and Miss Diva 2015 winner Urvashi Rautela, Filipino actress and model Marian Rivera, American actress Rena Sofer, Miss USA 2019 winner Chelsie Kryst, and Miss Universe 1976 winner Rina Mor.