LOOK: Harnaaz Sandhu, Miss Universe bets don striking costumes at Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans
(From left) Miss Universe 2021 Harnaaz Sandhu, Miss Universe Aruba 2022 Kiara Arends, Miss Universe Italy 2022 Virginia Stablum, and Miss Universe Venezuela 2022 Diana Silva. Images: Instagram/@harnaazsandhu_03, Instagram/@missuniverse
Several Miss Universe candidates and reigning queen Harnaaz Sandhu showed up in their most striking costumes at the annual Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Louisiana in the U.S in honor of St. Joan of Arc.
The Joan of Arc parade, named after the patron saint of France, is a quasi-religious event that pays tribute to the heroine’s birthday and the French cultural heritage of New Orleans. According to its official website, the affair is held annually on January 6 and celebrates the saint’s legacy through a public procession, as well as cultural and educational events.
The Miss Universe Organization (MUO) shared glimpses of the beauty queens donning spectacular Mardi Gras-inspired costumes at the parade on their official Instagram page on Sunday, Jan. 8.
“Life of the Mardi…Gras! [heart emojis],” the MUO said in the caption, in photos taken by U.S.-based photographers Benjamin Askinas and Tracy Nguyễn.
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Among the Miss Universe candidates included in the photos are Kiara Arends (Aruba), Virginia Stablum (Italy), Diana Silva (Venezuela), Michelle Colón (Puerto Rico), Sophiya Bhujel (Nepal), and Sheris Paul (Saint Lucia).
Other delegates who participated in the Joan of Arc festivities include Belle Etoile (Mauritius), Gabriella Gonthier (Seychelles), Hannah Iribhogbe (Nigeria), Laksmi Shari De-Neefe Suardana (Indonesia), R’Bonney Gabriel (U.S.A.), and Chayenne van Aarle (Belgium).
Reigning Miss Universe Harnaaz Sandhu of India was also present in the event, as seen on her personal Instagram account on Monday, Jan. 9. The beauty queen looked glamorous in a sparkly cream gown, white gloves, and a feather back piece.
“Every day is Mardi Gras in New Orleans,” Sandhu wrote.
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The Philippines’ own representative, Celeste Cortesi, was not spotted at the Joan of Arc parade.
The coronation night of the 71st Miss Universe will be held at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center on Jan. 14 (morning of Jan. 15 in the Philippines), where Sandhu will crown her successor.
The upcoming pageant will be hosted by Miss Universe 2012 Olivia Culpo and celebrity stylist Jeannie Mai-Jenkins, while Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray and “American Ninja Warrior” Zuri Hall will be the backstage commentators. EDV
