Emotional Harnaaz Sandhu pays tribute to Sushmita and Lara with her gown

Last year, Harnaaz Sandhu made every Indian proud when she was crowned Miss Universe 2021 after 21 years of absence. Harnaaz is a successor to Sushmita Sen and Lara Dutta, who had won the title earlier. A year later, today, Sandhu passed the crown to Miss USA, R'bonney Gabriel, at the ceremony hosted at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.

The day was extremely emotional for Harnaaz, who took her final ramp walk as Miss Universe before crowning the winner of the evening. And her emotions were palpable.

Not only this, but Ms Sandhu also made her last ramp more memorable as she took the moment to pay tribute to Sushmita and Lara, the only two Indian Miss Universe pageant winners.

Meet R’Bonney Gabriel, the new Miss Universe 2022 - see pics!

Sandhu walked the ramp wearing a voluminous black sequin gown with a plunging front and a big bow at the back, and her dress was adorned with the faces of Lara and Sushmita from their crowning moments printed on each side.

The crowd and all the contestants welcomed Miss Universe Sandhu on stage with huge rounds of applause. Walking with
all her confidence and a heavy heart, Sandhu was not able to hold her tears back.

The official account of Miss Universe also shared a video of Harnaaz and wrote: "Hold back tears as @HarnaazKaur takes the stage one last time as Miss Universe!"

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In the voiceover of the video, Harnaaz thanked the Miss Universe organisation, her parents, and everyone else who supported her.

"I was 17 years old when I first took the stage, and since then, becoming Miss Universe has been my goal. "I've been given the megaphone on a worldwide stage to present the topic of menstrual equity before world leaders, asking them to keep this conversation ongoing," she said.

In the last, she gave a message to the next Miss Universe and said, "Remember to live this year to the fullest because tomorrow is never promised."

R'Bonney Gabriel of the United States was crowned Miss Universe 2022 on Sunday. Gabriel, who is a fashion designer and a model, also made history last year as she became the first Filipino American to win Miss USA.