Miss Universe pageant: Miss India, Harnaaz Sandhu, crowned
Miss India, Harnaaz Sandhu, has been crowned Miss Universe.
The pageant, which was held in Eilat, Israel, Sunday included representatives from about 80 countries and was hosted by television personality Steve Harvey, The Associated Press reported.
Sandhu is a Bollywood actress and was crowned by 2020′s Miss Universe, Andrea Meza of Mexico, who had a shortened reign after COVID-19 delayed her competition until May 2021.
Sandhu beat Miss Paraguay, Nadia Ferreira, and Miss South Africa, Lalela Mswane, People magazine reported.
One country, Malaysia, a country that is predominantly Muslim with close ties to Palestine, did not attend after Palestine had urged countries to skip the pageant in protest of Israel’s treatment of Palestinians, the AP reported.
South Africa withdrew support for its representative after she continued her participation in the event.
The pageant also had to contend with growing concerns over the COVID-19 omicron variant, but many of the contestants were already in Israel before it closed its borders to foreign tourists.
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The ones who arrived after the travel restrictions went into place had to have special permission to attend and had a mandatory 72-hour quarantine period once they arrived.
Contestants were tested every 48 hours and had to abide by strict mask requirements prior to the pageant broadcast.
One contestant, Miss France, Clemence Botino, tested positive shortly after arriving in Israel, but was cleared last week to take part, AP reported.
Sunday’s pageant also featured a contestant from the United Arab Emirates for the first time while Morocco sent a representative for the first time in four decades, People magazine reported.
Host Steve Harvey and Elle Smith of USA are seen onstage at the 70th Miss Universe Competition on December 12, 2021 in Eilat, Israel. (Photo by Amir Levy/Getty Images)
Steve Harvey and Brenda Smith of Panama speak onstage at the 70th Miss Universe Competition on December 12, 2021 in Eilat, Israel. (Photo by Amir Levy/Getty Images)
Harnaaz Sandhu of India walks onstage at the 70th Miss Universe Competition on December 12, 2021 in Eilat, Israel. (Photo by Amir Levy/Getty Images)
Valeria Ayos of Colombia appears onstage at the 70th Miss Universe Competition on December 12, 2021 in Eilat, Israel. (Photo by Amir Levy/Getty Images)
Lalela Mswane of South Africa walks onstage at the 70th Miss Universe Competition on December 12, 2021 in Eilat, Israel. (Photo by Amir Levy/Getty Images)
Steve Harvey and Michelle Marie Colon of Puerto Rico speak onstage at the 70th Miss Universe Competition on December 12, 2021 in Eilat, Israel. (Photo by Amir Levy/Getty Images)
Elle Smith of USA walks onstage at the 70th Miss Universe Competition on December 12, 2021 in Eilat, Israel. (Photo by Amir Levy/Getty Images)
Beatrice Luigi Gomez of the Philippines appears onstage at the 70th Miss Universe Competition on December 12, 2021 in Eilat, Israel. (Photo by Amir Levy/Getty Images)
Steve Harvey and Clémence Botino of France speak onstage at the 70th Miss Universe Competition on December 12, 2021 in Eilat, Israel. (Photo by Amir Levy/Getty Images)
Nadia Ferreira of Paraguay walks onstage at the 70th Miss Universe Competition on December 12, 2021 in Eilat, Israel. (Photo by Amir Levy/Getty Images)
Nandita Banna of Singapore appears onstage at the 70th Miss Universe Competition on December 12, 2021 in Eilat, Israel. (Photo by Amir Levy/Getty Images)
Host Steve Harvey and Elle Smith of USA speak onstage at the 70th Miss Universe Competition on December 12, 2021 in Eilat, Israel. (Photo by Amir Levy/Getty Images)
India’s Harnaaz Sandhu poses during the final round of the 70th Miss Universe pageant, Monday, Dec. 13, 2021, in Eilat, Israel. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
