India’s Harnaaz Sandhu won the title of Miss Universe 2021, 21 years after actor Lara Dutta brought home the crown in 2000. Soon after the 21-year-old from Punjab was announced winner on monday, Lara congratulated Harnaaz and welcomes her to the club.

Exclusive: Miss Universe 2021 Harnaaz Sandhu on facing body shaming, bullying as a child

“Congratulations, @HarnaazSandhu03! Welcome to the club! We’ve waited 21 long years for this! You make us so, so proud! A billion dreams come true!” Lara wrote in her shout-out for Harnaaz Sandhu. 

Also Read: After a wait of 21 years, 21-year-old Harnaaz Sandhu brings home the Miss Universe crown

Priyanka Chopra, who won Miss World in 2000, also congratulated Harnaaz. Sharing a video of the moment when the host announced Harnaaz’s name as Miss Universe 2021, Priyanka penned a note for her. She wrote, “And the new Miss Universe is.. Miss India.” She added, “Congratulations @harnaazsandhu_03 (for) bringing the crown home after 21 years.”

Harnaaz was crowned by her predecessor Andrea Meza, who was the former Miss Universe 2020 from Mexico. Apart from Harnaaz and Lara,  Sushmita Sen too became the Miss Universe in 1994.

Also Read: Miss Diva Universe 2021 Harnaaz Sandhu on facing body shaming, bullying as a child

Paraguay’s Nadia Ferreira was the runner-up and South African Lalela mswane came third at the event that took place in Israel.  

  Also Read: Watch: Miss Universe 2021 winner Harnaaz Sandhu does an animal impression

The pageant included traditional displays of national costumes, swimwear and a series of interview questions to test contestants’ public speaking skills. The top 10 showed off intricately bedazzled full-length gowns in either gold, silver or bronze. The Philippines’ Beatrice Luigi Gomez wore an asymmetrical cut dress with one sleeve, highlighting a new tattoo she said “celebrates her womanhood.”