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The 2021 Miss Universe Competition aired live from Eilat, Israel, on Sunday, December 12, 2021. Get the rundown on the winners of the night.
This year marked the pageant’s 70th year. Host Steve Harvey joked he was only six years younger than the competition, which started in 1952. Last year’s event was hosted by former Miss Universe Olivia Culpo and actor Mario Lopez.
There were 80 delegates from around the globe — and every continent, except Antarctica — competing for the title this year, but only one would become the new Miss Universe.
The 80 contestants were judged during the preliminary competition, with the results airing during the live show.
The selection panel, also known as judges, was comprised of Bollywood star Urvashi Rautela, recording artist Marian Rivera, soap opera star Rena Sofer, supermodel Adriana Lima, Miss Universe 2016 Iris Mittenaere, Telemundo host Adamari Lopez, and, model Lori Harvey, the daughter of “Family Feud” star Steve Harvey.
Read on below for the winners of the night, starting with the title winner of Miss Universe 2021:
Who Won Miss Universe 2021
Before the winner was chosen, the top three contestants were asked what advice they would give to viewers. Once they gave their answers, the competitors were given one more chance to impress the selection committee with the “final look.”
The top three finalists were:
- Miss South Africa Lalela Mswane
- Miss India Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu
- Miss Paraguay Nadia Ferreira
The second runner-up was Miss South Africa Lalela Mswane.
And the final two were Miss India Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu and Miss Paraguay Nadia Ferreira, but it was Sandhu who was the winner. Sandhu was announced as the new Miss Universe. She received her crown, along with a sash and flowers. Sandhu then took her first walk on stage as Miss Universe 2021.
Miss Universe 2021 Final 5
The final five were:
- Miss India Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu
- Miss South Africa Lalela Mswane
- Miss Paraguay Nadia Ferreira
- Miss Colombia Valeria Ayos
- Miss Philippines Beatrice Luigi Gomez
The first question was given to Miss India, and she was asked about what she would have to say to people who think that climate change is a hoax. “My heart breaks to see how nature is going through a lot of problems,” she said. “This is the time to take action.”
The next to move forward in the question round was South Africa, who answered a question about adults being held responsible for what they wrote on social media when they were teenagers.
“I believe that everybody should be held accountable,” she said. “I believe in cancel culture, but in the same breath, I also believe in redemption culture.”
Miss Paraguay was asked about how women face body shaming. “Our body is our temple so we must take care of it. Our inner beauty is what really matters,” Miss Paraguay said. “So let’s cultivate our inner beauty.”
When it was Miss Colombia’s turn to answer a question, she talked about how the world would be different if more women were in charge. “Women are leaders by nature. We have the power to raise our voice,” she said. “So women, let’s raise our voice and make this a better, united universe.”
Miss Phillippines was the last to answer her question, which was about having universal vaccine passports.
“I believe that public health is everyone’s responsibility, and if mandating vaccine passports would help us… and mitigate the situation we’re in.. then I would agree on mandating vaccination passports,” she said.
Top 10 Winners of Miss Universe 2021
Following the swimsuit competition, the top 10 finalists were revealed. Here is the list:
- Miss Paraguay Nadia Ferreira
- Miss Puerto Rico Michelle Marie Colon
- Miss USA Elle Smith
- Miss India Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu
- Miss South Africa Lalela Mswane
- Miss Bahamas Chantel O’Brian
- Miss Philippines Beatrice Luigi Gomez
- Miss France Clémence Botino
- Miss Colombia Valeria Ayos
- Miss Aruba Thessaly Zimmerman
After the semi-final selection and the swimsuit competition, the top 10 put on their evening gowns. Singer JoJo performed while the top 10 walked down the stage. The artist performed songs like “In Your Room,” “Leave (Get Out)” and “Worst (I Assume).”
First to walk down the stage was Miss Paraguay Nadia Ferriera, followed by Miss Puerto Rico, Michelle Marie, Miss USA Elle Smith and Miss India Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu.
The second round of top 10 finalists to walk were Miss South Africa Lalela Mswane, followed by Miss Bahamas Chantel O’Brian, Miss Philippines Beatrice Luigi Gomez, Miss France Clémence Botino, Miss Colombia Valeria Ayos, and Miss Aruba Thessaly Zimmerman.
Top 16 Miss Universe 2021 Winners
And the 16 semifinalists were (in the order they were announced) …
- Miss France Clémence Botino
- Miss Colombia Valeria Ayos
- Miss Singapore Nandita Banna
- Miss Panama Brenda Smith
- Miss Puerto Rico Michelle Marie Colon
- Miss Bahamas Chantel O’Brian
- Miss Japan Juri Watanabe
- Miss Great Britain Emma Collingridge
- Miss USA Elle Smith
- Miss India Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu
- Miss Vietnam Kim Duyen
- Miss Aruba Thessaly Zimmerman
- Miss Paraguay Nadia Ferreira
- Miss Philippines Beatrice Luigi Gomez
- Miss Venezuela Luiseth Materán
- South Africa Lalela Mswane
Each of the top 16 contestants competed in the swimsuit competition segment.
Who Won Miss Universe 2020
Heading into the pageant, Meza said that she was “excited” for the event.
“I loved my look for the preliminary competition and sharing the stage with @carsonkressley 🙌🏼😍,” she wrote on Instagram. “Also, let’s talk about the stage!!! Isn’t it incredible? So excited for the @missuniverse final on Sunday at 7pm ET.”
During her reign as Miss Universe, Meza advocated for women’s equality and implored people to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
“Being the only Miss Universe crowned during the COVID-19 pandemic has made my reign
unforgettable,” Meza said in a press release. “I hope that the world takes the vaccine as soon as it is available so that, come December, as many people as possible can join the 70th anniversary celebration in Israel.”
After missing out on last year’s competition, “Family Feud” star Steve Harvey has returned to host Miss Universe for the sixth time.
“Each show I’m in awe of the smart, fiery, and talented women who take the stage,” Harvey told People. “I continue to champion this show and participate, not only as a host but as a producer, to show the world what you can do, if you put your mind to it.”
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