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Miss Universe India Harnaaz Sandhu emerged triumphant and won the 2021 Miss Universe crown, besting 80 candidates from other countries and charming the crowd with her response to the question, “What advice would you give young women watching on how to deal with the pressures they face today?”

“The biggest pressure the youth of today is facing is to believe in themselves. To know that you are unique and that's what makes you beautiful. Stop comparing yourself to others and let's talk about more important things that's happening worldwide,” she responded. “This is what you need to understand. Come out, speak for yourself because you are the leader of your life. You are your own voice. I believed in myself and that's why I'm standing here today.”

First-runner up was Miss Paraguay Nadia Ferreira, while second runner-up was Miss South Africa Lalela Mswane.

Miss Paraguay's response to the question took from her own personal experience.

“I have been through so many hard situations in my life but I overcame it. I want all women who are watching at this moment to join forces and do what you're meant to do. No matter the situation you can overcome it and you can always be victorious,” she said.

Miss South Africa, meanwhile, urged young women to step out of their comfort zones.

“I would implore young women to choose courage over comfort any opportunity they get. I'd also like young women to know that since the beginning of time they've had everything within them to achieve anything they've wanted. It's the world that convinced us that we did not,” she responded

The Philippine representative, Beatrice Luigi Gomez, bowed out in the top five after answering the question, “Given the ever-changing COVID-19 situation, what is your opinion on mandating a universal vaccine passport?”

Beatrice had earlier won the Miss Universe Philippines crown in September. The win was historic as it made Beatrice the first openly out member of the LGBTQIA+ community to win the crown.

Beatrice wasn't the only Filipina in the pageant, as the 2021 Miss Universe selection committee includes Kapuso Primetime Queen Marian Rivera. Alongside her in the selection committee were supermodel Adriana Lima, TV host Adamari López, actresses Urvashi Rautela, Rena Sofer, Miss Universe 2016 Iris Mittenaere and Steve Harvey's daughter Lori Harvey.

Check out Beatrice's week in Israel before the coronation night in the gallery below.