Transcript: Miss Universe 2021 Q&A and Final Statements

The 2021 Miss Universe pageant is now over—and we’ve got the newest reigning queen, Harnaaz Sandhu, Miss Universe India 2021! 

80 women from all over the world vied for the crown during the most beautiful night in the Universe, with the Top 16 kicking off the event in Eilat, Israel, hosted by Steve Harvey.

The ladies were narrowed down from 16, to 10, to 5, and finally, to the Top 3.

Nadia Tamara Ferreira of Paraguay and Lalela Mswane of South Africa won 1st and 2nd Runner-Up, respectively.

Check out the transcripts of the Top 5 Q&A portion, as well as the final statements from the Top 3, below.

Many people think climate change is a hoax. What would you do to convince them otherwise?

India: Honestly my heart breaks to see how nature is going through a lot of problems and it’s all due to our irresponsible behavior and I totally see that this is the time to take actions and talk less because each action could either kill or save nature. Prevent and protect is better than repent and repair and this is what I’m trying to convince you guys today. 

Should tweets and social media comments from a person in their teenage years be held against them years later?

South Africa: I believe that everybody should be held accountable for their actions and if a person doesn’t know how act on social media, they should be cancelled. I believe in cancel culture. In the same breath, I also believe in redemption culture, hoping that the person has matured, and has learned better and done better. I hope that they could do better and be redeemed. So I do believe that they can grow and be allowed again to do that. 

How can a woman best handle body shaming?

Paraguay: Our body is our temple so we must take care of it. Our inner beauty is what really matters. Let’s cultivate our inner beauty so it can reflect on our external beauty. Thank you.

How would the world be different if more women were in charge?

Colombia: Women are leaders by nature. We have the power to raise our voice and make transcendental decisions in society as role models make an example, but not just with words, with actions. That’s why women raising our voice as in this platform called Miss Universe, we are taking charge of our lives and deciding what we want to have in society in order to make it a better one. So, women, let’s raise our voice and make us a better, united universe.

Given the ever-changed COVID situation, what is your opinion of mandating a universal vaccine passport?Philippines: I believe that public health is everyone’s responsibility. And to mandate vaccine inoculation is necessary and if mandating vaccine passport in regulating the rollouts of vaccine and mitigate the situation of the pandemic today, then I would agree to mandating the necessary passport of vaccination.

The Top 3—South Africa, India, and Paraguay—answered the same question: "What advice would you give to young women watching on how to deal with the pressures they face today?"

South Africa: I would implore young women today to choose courage over comfort every opportunity they get. I also like  women to know that since the beginning of time, they’ve had anything—everything, rather—within them to achieve anything they’ve wanted, it was unfortunately the world that would convince us that we do not. 

India: Well I think the biggest pressure the youth is facing is to believe in themselves, to know that you are unique and that’s what makes you beautiful. Stop comparing yourselves with others and let’s talk about more important things happening worldwide. I think this is what you need to understand. Come out, speak for yourself, because you are the leader of your life. You are the voice of your own. I believed in myself and that’s why I’m standing here today.

Paraguay: I’ve been through so many hard situations in my life but I overcame it. I want all women, all persons who are watching in this moment, to join forces, to do what you’re meant to do because you can do it, no matter the situation, you can overcome it and you can always be victorious.

Lead photo courtesy of Miss Universe