Miss India and Steve Harvey at Miss Universe 2021
Steve Harvey presents semifinalist Miss India Harnaaz Sandhu during the 70th Miss Universe beauty pageant in Eilat, Israel on December 13, 2021.MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images
  • Steve Harvey asked Miss India Harnaaz Sandhu to do her best animal impersonation at Miss Universe. 
  • Harnaaz took the question in stride, and meowed in front of millions of viewers. 
  • Many on Twitter criticized the question as other finalists were asked about their accomplishments.

The 2021 Miss Universe competition started with a bang… and a meow. 

Many fans of the international beauty pageant were left bewildered after host Steve Harvey asked one of the top 16 finalists to do her best animal impersonation onstage — while other women were given the chance to talk about their accomplishments. 

Miss India Harnaaz Sandhu was visibly taken by surprise as Harvey told her, "I hear you do some pretty good animal impersonations. Let's hear your best one." 

Miss India at the 2021 Miss Universe pageant
Miss India Harnaaz Sandhu presents herself on stage during the preliminary stage of the 70th Miss Universe beauty pageant in Eilat, Israel on December 10, 2021.MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images

"Oh my god, Steve, I was not expecting to do this on the world stage," she told him. 

But ever the class act, Miss India took it all in stride. 

"I have to do this, I have no other option," she joked. 

Sandu said that, since she loved cats, she would do her best to impersonate one. 

"Brace yourself everyone," she warned, before letting out a few impressive "meows." 

It was a moment that stood out to many viewers, who questioned why Sandhu hadn't been given a meaningful moment to share more about herself. 

Meanwhile, Miss Panama Brenda Smith was able to talk about getting a position at the UN, and Miss Great Britain Emma Collingridge discussed how learning about Medusa's origin story inspired her to fight against gender-based violence. 

Sandhu, 21, is an advocate for women's empowerment who has helped her mother teach women's health and hygiene at camps.

The pageant queen currently works as an actress and told Insider that she's done two Punjabi feature films that will be released soon. 

Sandhu said she always chooses strong characters because she wants to "break stereotypes of what women are and what they can be." 

"I hope I get to inspire people by following my passion and my heart," she added.

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