The 70th annual Miss Universe pageant took place on Sunday in Eilat, Israel. While Miss SA Lalela Mswane’s participation was marred by controversy in weeks leading up to the event, there were many highlights from last night’s pageant.
Among them, was the crowning of Miss Universe - India’s Harnaaz Sandhu, a cameo from Lori Harvey, and some amusing moments on stage.
Here are 5 must-see moments:
SA’s Lalela Mswane was crowned second runner up
Miss SA made the top three just under Miss India Harnaaz Sandhu, and Miss Paraguay Miss Paraguay Nadia Ferreira who was the first runner-up.
In her final speech before the winner was announced, Mswane urged young women to “choose courage over comfort”.
“I would like young women to know that since the beginning of time they have had everything within them to achieve anything they wanted, it is the world that convinced that we do not,” she said.
India’s Harnaaz Sandhu crowned Miss Universe
21-year old Harnazz Sandhu was crowned the new Miss Universe, coming out on top of approximately 80 contestants. Sandhu is the third Indian to ever win Miss Universe with Bollywood actresses Sushmita Sen winning in 1994 and Lara Dutta in 2000.
A performance from Jojo
Pop star Jojo brought the nostalgia as she performed a medley of her early 2000s hits. She lit up the stage with her single Too Little Too Late. Israeli singer Noa Kriel also performed on the night.
Lori Harvey makes an appearance
Lori Harvey, the daughter of six-time Miss Universe host, Steve Harvey, this year joined the pageant’s selection committee. She was joined by supermodel Adriana Lima, as well as Miss Universe 2016 Iris Mittenaere.
Miss India’s animal impression
Miss India, who according to Steve Harvey, does some really talented animal impressions, was asked to do one during the Top 16 round of questioning. She stunned the crowd with her pretty accurate impression of a cat - although many Twitter users were left confused.
