Beatrice Gomez finishes her Miss Universe journey in the Top 5
Winning Miss Universe is not an easy feat – we’ve only had four beauty queens who made it far to be crowned the pageant’s winner in its more than half a century’s history.
So while the word is out that our bet for this year’s Miss Universe, Beatrice Gomez, has bowed out as one of this year’s Top 5 finalists, she has already made us so proud of her accomplishment.
India’s Harnaaz Sandhu was crowned the new Miss Universe in Eilat, Israel today, succeeding Andrea Meza of Mexico.
Gomez talked about vaccination in the Q&A portion
Image credit: @MissUniverse
Miss Universe 2016 Iris Mittinaere, who was one of the judges, asked Gomez about her opinion on mandating Covid-19 vaccinations, which has been a divisive issue lately.
Gomez affirmed that she thinks vaccination should be obligatory, especially if it would help control the virus. “I believe the public health is everyone’s responsibility, and to mandate vaccination is necessary. If mandating vaccine passports would help regulate rollout of vaccine and mitigate the pandemic situation today, then I am for it,” she said.
She wore a golden Francis Libiran gown
Gomez at the Miss Universe 2021 coronation night (left), Gomez’s Francis Libiran golden couture gown (right)
Image credit: @MissUniverse, @themissuniverseph
In the evening gown portion, Gomez was dazzling in her Francis Libiran golden couture gown, which showcased the Philippines’ indigenous tribal tattoo patterns called pintados.
Gomez at the Miss Universe 2021 preliminaries
Image adapted from: @themissuniverseph
She also sashayed in a red one-piece swimsuit during the swimsuit competition.
India’s Harnaaz Sandhu crowned as the winner
Image credit: Miss UniverseÂ
The crown has once again returned to India, as Harnaaz Sandhu won the title 21 years after India’s Lara Dutta was named Miss Universe 2000. Paraguay’s Nadia Ferreira was declared the 1st runner-up, while South Africa’s Lalela Mswane is the 2nd runner-up.
Sandhu at the Miss Universe 2021 preliminaries
Image credit: @harnaazsandhu_03, @harnaazsandhu_03
Sandhu encouraged young women to stop comparing themselves with others during the final 3s’ question and answer portion, where the queens were asked what advice they would give to young women in dealing with the pressures they face today.
“Well, I think 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 yourselves with others, and let’s talk about more important things that’s 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 [life]. I believe in myself and that’s why I’m standing here today. Thank you,” Sandhu said.
Image adapted from: @missuniverse
For the Top 5 question and answer portion, Judge Rina Mor Goder asked Sandhu how she would convince people who believed that climate change is a hoax. Sandhu said that we should be emphasizing more action and less talk.
“Honestly my heart breaks to see how nature is going through a lot of problems, and it’s all due to our irresponsible behavior. I totally feel like 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 to do. Thank you,” the new Miss Universe responded.
Marian Rivera is one of the judges
The Philippines is the only Southeast Asian country that was included in the Top 10. Gomez was there alongside other queens from Paraguay, Puerto Rico, USA, India, South Africa, The Bahamas, France, Colombia, and Aruba.
Ladies from France, Colombia, Singapore, Panama, Puerto Rico, The Bahamas, Japan, Great Britain, India, United States of America, Vietnam, Aruba, Paraguay, Venezuela, and South Africa also were also part of the Top 16.
Rivera (left) and Rautela (right)
Image credit: @marianrivera
Our very own Marian Rivera is one of this year’s Miss Universe judges. She was part of the selecting committee who also comprised Adamari Lopez, former Victoria’s Secret angel Adriana Lima, Cheslie Kryst, Miss Universe 2016 Iris Mittinaere, Lori Harvey, Rena Sofer, Rina Mor Goder, and Urvashi Rautela.
Beatrice Gomez finished strong at Miss Universe 2021
Beatrice Gomez may not have won Miss Universe today, but she really represented what a Filipina beauty is all about while wearing her golden gown and giving an encouraging answer during the pageant’s Q and A portion.
Congratulations also to India’s Harnaaz Sandhu, who is making her nation proud once again!
Also check out:
- Things to know about Beatrice Gomez
- Things to know about Rabiya Mateo
- Best Miss Universe evening gowns
Cover image adapted from: @MissUniverse, @missuniverse