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Miss Universe Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu says she's been body-shamed for gaining weight

Miss Universe Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu says she's been body-shamed for gaining weight

The Indian model and actor was crowned the 70th Miss Universe in 2021.
Updated 02 Apr, 2022

Indian model and actor Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu — who was crowned the 70th Miss Universe in 2021 — recently revealed about her difficult experience with body-shaming. In an interview to an Indian publication, the Miss Universe titleholder said she's been called "fat" on many occasions, both by netizens and online media platforms reporting her fashion activities.

In an interview published by the Times of India on April 2, Sandhu said she has been body-shamed online for gaining weight. "I have, of late, experienced it first hand," she said. "The way people react to a person gaining weight. This is not just about women, but it's about every human being and how they’re treated for the way they look. I’ve been through that, and in fact, I am still going through that experience."

Sandhu tries her best not to let the negativity faze her. "It can be difficult to change the other person’s perspective, but if you are confident, you believe in yourself then no one can stop you," she said. "It’s important to remember how we treat people on a daily basis on how they look. We don’t need to feel sorry for them, and no one needs to feel sorry for me, because I am strong enough to take those opinions and ignore them."

The model believes that people who are "sensitive" to comments about their bodies can end up "feeling bullied". Everyone needs to respect each other for who they are. "Your name and your soul are attached to each other and you should be happy and eternally grateful to God for giving you an incredible body. So just love yourself," she stressed.

Apart from her difficult experience with being body-shamed, Sandhu recently shared about suffering from celiac disease, a chronic digestive and immune disorder that damages the small intestine. According to the The Press Trust of India, Sandhu, during an event in Chandigarh, said that "nobody knows about my Celiac disease. That I can't eat wheat flour and many other things. I am one of the courageous and confident girls who believes that even if I'm fat, even if I'm thin, it's my body, I love myself."

In 2021, Sandhu was crowned the 70th Miss Universe, topping a field of some 80 contestants in a pageant that was touched by politics and the pandemic. The pageant show, held in Israel, drew attention after a grassroots Palestinian-led boycott urged contestants to skip the event to protest Israel’s treatment of the Palestinians.

In the end, only Malaysia, a predominantly Muslim country with close ties to the Palestinians, did not send a representative, citing the global Covid-19 situation. The South African government, which also strongly supports the Palestinian cause, withdrew support for the country’s representative over her participation.

Comments

Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad Apr 02, 2022 04:43pm
Who cares?
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LOL Apr 02, 2022 05:40pm
Don't mind, you look Godly.
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Syed Hasni Apr 02, 2022 05:42pm
Sallu, I found the next Dabang Girl.
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IRFAN Apr 02, 2022 06:52pm
Who cares!! Please gain more weight and do something useful in your life.
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gt Apr 02, 2022 08:15pm
The most important thing you won contest and weight gaining will not change that.
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Raza Apr 02, 2022 08:52pm
So after becoming a beauty queen, literally the embodiment of female objectification, she wants not to be objectified. Does that makes sense to anyone
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Amarnath Apr 02, 2022 09:33pm
@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad People comment here. Looks like people do care
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Chacha Jee Apr 02, 2022 09:51pm
Lot of people struggle with weight issue as every Doctor will prescribe it. Such statements from celebrities increase agney of those who are struggling with being overweight.
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Raheel Apr 03, 2022 02:39am
Who is this nobody and is this actually news worthy?
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Jigen.m19 Apr 03, 2022 03:09am
Get married have a family and live happily
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Just Saying Apr 03, 2022 05:27am
Punjabi Kudi will always gain wait, it is our genes!
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John Apr 03, 2022 06:32am
@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad nonone ask you
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Tadka Apr 03, 2022 07:55am
@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad and you freely use that title of Dr despite knowing PhDs don't use it liberally
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Tadka Apr 03, 2022 07:58am
@IRFAN being a doctor 's child and holding a master's degree in public administration she will definitely do better than you
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Johnw Apr 03, 2022 08:09am
At least she has gained something besides the crown
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Mike Hunt Apr 03, 2022 08:19am
Oye Ji, tusee parathe kum khawo. weight toyada neeche aa jayega.
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Armaan Apr 03, 2022 12:25pm
@Johnw she gained her education degree too she is highly accomplished and educated.
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Uturn Apr 03, 2022 02:33pm
India has won many Miss Universe crowns till now. How many has Pakistan won?
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Simba Apr 03, 2022 03:04pm
Gorgeous. Indian woman are simply gorgeous.
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Jeet Apr 03, 2022 05:24pm
@Uturn - Pakistani women don't participate in such contests. Otherwise even Harnaz Kaur Sandhu family is also originally from the area now called pakistan.
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Bupi Apr 03, 2022 05:57pm
She was on top of world & its her choice to be thin or fat. Nobody has right to comment or guide her.
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krishna Apr 04, 2022 01:02am
Dear HKS u are fabulous and would be more even in 60 kgs
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Salvo Apr 04, 2022 02:32am
@Jeet all of Pakistan “area “was formally called India
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Jotika reddy Apr 04, 2022 09:20am
Who cares what others say you strong woman
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Michael D'Souza Apr 04, 2022 01:07pm
You look better now Sardarni , but try not to gain any further. You are at your BEST NOW. We all, Love you Dear.
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Bjose Apr 05, 2022 01:59pm
@Jeet You are trying to say that she and her family escaped?
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ST Apr 05, 2022 02:45pm
@Uturn As muslims we can't compete in such competitions. And we are proud of our religious values.
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Zulfiqar Apr 06, 2022 12:37am
That’s what a lot of food with butter will do. Just saying. Better switch to Mediterranean diet if you want to maintain weight.
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