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Miss Universe 2021 Harnaaz Sandhu took to social media to issue an apology to Miss Universe Kyrgyzstan Altynai Botoyarova for a slip-up she made during the 71st Miss Universe national costume competition. While co-hosting with Miss Universe Organization TV producer and writer Nick Teplitz, the Indian beauty mistakenly mentioned "Kazakhstan" instead of "Kyrgyzstan" as Altynai walked down the runway wearing her white swan-inspired national costume. "During the preliminary event this week in New Orleans, I failed to properly say Kyrgyzstan. I am deeply sorry for this mistake," Harnaaz shared on her Instagram story and continued by saying she will never purposely say or do something to upset a contestant or their supporters. "The preliminary competition was my first time ever co-hosting and the jitters got the best of me. My nervousness onstage is not a reflection of the deep respect I have for Kyrgyzstan. Altynai, please accept my sincerest apologies,...

JKN Global Group PCL, the new owner of the Miss Universe Organization successfully held the first-ever Miss Universe Extravaganza at Paragon Cineplex in Bangkok, Thailand. The highly talked-about historic event which was held on Monday, November 7, and streamed across JKN platforms, was a spectacle parade of Miss Universe beauties all glammed up for the special occasion. Attended of course by the new owner herself from Thailand, Anne Jakkaphong Jakrajutatip, with MUO President Paula Shugart and CEO Amy Emmerich, the empowered reigning Miss Universe and menstrual equity advocate Harnaaz Sandhu, former titleholders, and Miss Universe Thailand's present and former queens. The past winners who were present include Miss Universe 2005 Natalie Glebova, who after her reign made the decision to settle in Thailand where she won her title. She talked about her love for the country and attest to the many wonderful things its beauty and its warm people can offer the world. Miss Universe 2011 Le...

The first-ever Miss Universe Extravaganza presented by the new owner of the Miss Universe Organization, the JKN Global Group PCL, will be held this Monday, November 7 at the Siam Pavalai Royal Grand Theatre, Paragon Cineplex, in Bangkok, Thailand. Headed by the self-made billionaire, media mogul and TV host Anne Jakkaphong Jakrajutatip, the highly anticipated event to be broadcasted across JKN streaming channels will be attended by MUO President Paula Shugart and CEO Amy Emmerich. One of the highlights will be the gathering of five Miss Universe beauties consisting of Natalie Glebova (2005), Leila Lopes (2011), Catriona Gray (2018), Andrea Meza (2020), and reigning Miss Universe Harnaaz Sandhu, for the first time in the Land of Smiles. The JKN Universe Extravaganza is also expected to give away gifts worth 7 million baht in total to the fans who will be attending the fabulous One Universe celebration. Following the historic event, a private gala dinner will be held in the evening from ...

Reigning Miss Universe Harnaaz Sandhu has arrived in Colombia for her first official visit to the country to participate in activities for Smile Train, a nonprofit organization and charity providing corrective surgery for children with cleft lips and palates. Headquartered in New York City and founded in 1999, Smile Train provides free corrective cleft surgery in 87 countries, training local doctors and providing hospital funding for the procedures. Together with the reigning Miss Universe Colombia María Fernanda Aristizábal Urrea, Harnaaz visited cleft patients and beneficiaries in Medellín during the commemoration of World Smile Day on Friday, October 7. While in the South American country, the Indian beauty queen also had the chance to reunite with pageant sister, former Miss Universe Colombia and Miss Universe 2021 Top 5 finalist Valeria Ayos. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu (@harnaazsandhu_03) Photos: Valeria Ayos, Har...

Two trailblazing and highly accomplished Indian women met each other on Saturday, September 24 during the Global Citizen Festival in New York City's Central Park. The Global Citizen, a non-profit organization dedicated to driving change and making an impact, celebrated its 10th year anniversary with former Miss World Priyanka Chopra as host. Nick Jonas' wife also just recently attended as a speaker at the United Nations General Assembly, also in NYC, where she talked mainly about its top agenda this year which is the Sustainable Development Goals. Prior to last night's show, Priyanka shared the behind-the-scenes with the caption: "Global Citizen Festival and the incredible team behind the mission statement take the saying “it takes a village” to another level. Today you will witness everyone’s hard work and united movement to end extreme Global Poverty." Reigning Miss Universe Harnaaz Sandhu also attended the meaningful event as one of the speakers where she talke...

Reigning Miss Universe Harnaaz Sandhu was designated as "Madrina" of the Latino Commission on AIDS on Tuesday, September 20 in New York City. The title, meaning godmother, was given to the 22-year-old for her dedication and commitment to the Latino Commission on Aids in response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Latino communities. "Such a beautiful day spent ... and I am truly thankful to be named the '2022 Madrina' of the Latino Commission on AIDS. I’m both honored to take on this role, as well as grateful to the Miss Universe organization for giving me this opportunity to carry on their commitment to this cause," she wrote on social media. "I’m excited to join in support of the Latino Commission on Aids and its dedication for over 30 years of working to prevent HIV and advancing access to care in the Latino and global community," she added. Harnaaz, who looked gorgeous in a red dress by New York & Company at the event, also encouraged everyone to...

The 10th Miss Diva edition has just concluded in Mumbai and finally the LIVA Miss Diva Universe 2022 (Miss Universe India) Divita Rai has been officially crowned. India's representative to the 71st Miss Universe pageant received her crown from Miss Universe 2021 Harnaaz Sandhu at the end of the highly celebrated event. The new Miss Diva, 24, is no stranger to pageantry as she was last year's second runner-up and bagged three special awards (Miss Lifestyle, Miss IQ, and Miss Sudoku). Divita will now prepare to pull off a back-to-back win at Miss Universe 2022. The date and venue for the international pageant are yet to be announced. Photos: Miss Diva

Reigning Miss Universe Harnaaz Sandhu and former Miss Universe Lara Dutta were captured together during the LIVA Miss Diva 2022 grand coronation ceremony on Sunday, August 28 in Mumbai. The iconic moment was shared by Miss Diva Organization on social media with the caption: "The picture that will go down in history!" Crowned 21 years apart, Lara won India's second Miss Universe title during the 49th edition held on May 12, 2000, at the Eleftheria Indoor Hall in Nicosia, Cyprus while Harnaaz conquered the 70th edition at the Universe Dome in Eilat, Israel on December 13, 2021. The highly anticipated LIVA Miss Diva 2022 will unveil India's representatives to the upcoming Miss Universe 2022, and Miss Supranational 2023. Catch the show streaming free on voot , the Miss Diva exclusive streaming partner from September 12 onwards. Photo: Miss Diva

Reigning Miss Universe Harnaaz Sandhu guested in an episode of "The Daily Show with Trevor Noah" that aired on Thursday, August 18 on Comedy Central. The Indian beauty was wearing a red dress by Wight Elephant Boutique and completed the ensemble with jewelry from Designer Dream Collection (DDC) and shoes from GUESS. During the interview with the award-winning South African comedian, Harnaaz shared how her mother inspired her advocacy for menstrual equity and taught Trevor some Bollywood dance moves. The topic of bullying was also brought up and Harnaaz confessed to being disheartened by the bashings on her weight gain but she never allow them to define who she is. For the 22-year-old, being timid and weak isn't the right way to be impactful and inspirational to the youngsters who look up to her. "I want to tell them that inspiration starts within you. If you inspire yourself, that's how you can inspire a lot of people outside too," she said. Here's the f...

Miss Universe 2021 Harnaaz Sandhu looked stunning in a black dress by Pinkapple Dresses during the Miss South Africa 2022 judging day. The Indian beauty queen arrived in Johannesburg, South Africa on Monday, August 8 to be part of this year's all-female selection committee. This is the first time for the reigning Miss Universe to visit the country and she was very ecstatic to meet her fellow Miss Universe sister, South Africa's very own Zozibini Tunzi (Miss Universe 2019). Tune in this Saturday, August 13 to see who among the Top 10 finalists will be crowned the next Miss South Africa and have the opportunity to represent the "rainbow nation" at Miss Universe 2022. Photos: Miss Universe

Reigning Miss Universe Harnaaz Sandhu has been announced to be part of the selection committee for the upcoming Miss South Africa 2022 pageant. The Indian beauty will join former queens Zozibini Tunzi (Miss Universe 2020) and Rolene Strauss (Miss World 2014) at the judging table to select the next South African representatives for Miss Universe, Miss World, and Miss Supranational. For her advice to the Top 10 finalists, Harnaaz said: "Be authentic! Use every minute and moment to showcase your true self, not only to the judges but to the people you are working with, those who are working on the production, your fans, and the global audience who is watching! This is your time to shine and make the most out of this magical storyline you have chosen to be a part of." Miss South Africa 2022 will air live from the SunBet Arena at Time Square, Pretoria on Saturday, August 13 at 6:30 p.m. local time. Photo: Miss South Africa

Ahead of the Miss Universe Vietnam 2022 final competition this Saturday, reigning Miss Universe Harnaaz Sandhu together with former queens Catriona Gray and Natalie Glebova attended a special conference organized for them on Friday, June 25 at Lotte Hotel Saigon in Ho Chi Minh City. This is the first time for the three Miss Universe beauties together in Vietnam as they were invited to be part of the panel of judges for the national competition. During the conference, they were asked questions related to their experience in the country, their valuable pieces of advice to the contestants, and of course, for Harnaaz, her weight-gain issue, which has already been revealed as due to an autoimmune disorder. These outspoken women, dignified as ever, are true representatives of what Miss Universe is all about, "an inclusive organization that celebrates women of all cultures and backgrounds, women who are forward-thinking and motivated to not just talk about change, but to initiate it....

Miss Universe 2021 Harnaaz Sandhu arrived in Vietnam together with Miss Universe Organization executives Paula Shugart and Amy Emmerich on Wednesday evening, June 22. Vietnamese fans flocked to the Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City to welcome the reigning queen for the first time in the country. The Indian beauty was also welcomed by her Miss Universe sister, Miss Universe Vietnam 2021 Nguyen Huynh Kim Duyen together with the Miss Universe Vietnam organizers. Harnaaz will join former Miss Universe Catriona Gray, who arrived the day after, and Natalie Glebova to judge the final of Miss Universe Vietnam 2022 this Saturday, June 25. During her first day in the Southeast Asian country, she engaged in official meetings, gave media interviews, and met with the Vietnamese contestants who are vying for the national title. Here's her stunning look as she kicked off the first day of her official visit: View this post on Instagram A post shar...

Apart from former Miss Universe Catriona Gray, Miss Universe 2021 Harnaaz Sandhu has also been invited to visit Vietnam for the upcoming Miss Universe Vietnam 2022 pageant. The Indian beauty queen will be joined by the Miss Universe Organization President Paula Shugart and newly appointed CEO Amy Emmerich. According to the national pageant organizers, Harnaaz will be "will be present at important events" including the final night. The reigning Miss Universe has previously traveled to the Philippines and Indonesia for official visits to grace their respective national competitions. Miss Universe Vietnam 2022 will take place next Saturday, June 25 at the Saigon Exhibition and Fair Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Miss Universe Vietnam - Hoa Hậu Hoàn Vũ Việt Nam

Miss Universe 2021 Harnaaz Sandhu, Miss International 2019 Sireethorn Leearamwat, and Miss Supranational 2021 first runner-up Karla Guilfú will be gracing the final of Puteri Indonesia 2022. The reigning queens arrived in the Indonesian capital city of Jakarta on Wednesday, May 25 ahead of the national competition to be held this Friday, May 27 at Jakarta Convention Center. Puteri Indonesia 2022, the 25th Puteri Indonesia pageant, will be crowning a new set of winners who will represent their country at Miss Universe, Miss International, and Miss Supranational. View this post on Instagram A post shared by PUTERI INDONESIA (@officialputeriindonesia) Photos: Puteri Indonesia