Harnaaz Sandhu was crowned MISS UNIVERSE at the 70th MISS UNIVERSE Competition live from Eilat, Israel in December 2021 at the age of 21, bringing the crown back to India for the first time in 20 years. 
 
She draws her inspiration from her mother, who broke generations of patriarchy to become a successful gynecologist and led her family. Driven to support other women the same way, Harnaaz grew up working with her mother at health camps addressing women's health and menstrual hygiene.
 
Deeply conscious of the privilege her mother's struggles have gifted her, Harnaaz today is a strong advocate for women's empowerment, particularly their constitutional rights to education, careers, and their freedom of choice. Professionally, Harnaaz is an actor with two Punjabi films slated for release in 2022, and hopes to break stereotypes that the world has for women.
 
Her favorite actor is Priyanka Chopra, and she draws inspiration from her body of work. In her spare time, Harnaaz enjoys the company of friends, loves yoga, dancing, cooking, horse riding, and playing chess. She is a water baby and never misses a chance to jump into a pool to rejuvenate herself. She believes in the saying - “Great things happen to those who don’t stop believing, trying, learning, and being grateful."