Harnaaz Sandhu honored as 'Madrina' of the Latino Commission on AIDS


Reigning Miss Universe Harnaaz Sandhu was designated as "Madrina" of the Latino Commission on AIDS on Tuesday, September 20 in New York City.

The title, meaning godmother, was given to the 22-year-old for her dedication and commitment to the Latino Commission on Aids in response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Latino communities.

"Such a beautiful day spent ... and I am truly thankful to be named the '2022 Madrina' of the Latino Commission on AIDS. I’m both honored to take on this role, as well as grateful to the Miss Universe organization for giving me this opportunity to carry on their commitment to this cause," she wrote on social media.

"I’m excited to join in support of the Latino Commission on Aids and its dedication for over 30 years of working to prevent HIV and advancing access to care in the Latino and global community," she added.

Harnaaz, who looked gorgeous in a red dress by New York & Company at the event, also encouraged everyone to "educate yourself and help us in saving lives from aids."

Photos: Antonio Vacacela / AV Events / Harnaaz Sandhu / Instagram

Popular posts from this blog

Miss Turkey 2024: Meet the Top 20 finalists

Image
A total of 20 finalists have been selected to compete for Miss Turkey 2024 following an elimination round held on Wednesday, September 4 in Istanbul. The grand final will take place on September 11 at the Lazzoni Hotel and the winners are expected to represent Turkey at the next Miss World and Miss Supranational pageants. No competition was held last year and this year's upcoming final will be the 42nd edition of the annual national pageant. In May, the Miss Turkey Organization headed by Can Sandıkcıoğlu officially announced that it parted ways with the Miss Universe Organization after more than 40 years. Its last representative was Aleyna Şirin who competed in Miss Universe 2022 which was held in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA in January 2023. The national organization that achieved Turkey's first Miss World winner courtesy of Azra Akın (Miss Turkey and Miss World 2002) will continue to send contestants to Miss World and Miss Supranational. Who will become the next Miss Turkey? ...
Read more

Miss Universe Haiti 2025 is Melissa Queenie Sapini

Image
Melissa Queenie Sapini was officially crowned Miss Universe Haiti 2025 in a special ceremony held on Saturday, October 18 at The Palm Theater (Embassy Suites) in Boca Raton, Florida. The 22-year-old Haitian-American TV host will now prepare to represent Haiti at the Miss Universe 2025 pageant in Thailand this November. No stranger to pageantry, the new Miss Universe Haiti is a former Miss Massachusetts USA. She competed in Miss USA 2024 in Los Angeles, California and made the Top 10. Her advocacy centers on literacy, inspired by her grandmother, who couldn't write her own name. She co-founded The Two Queens Foundation with her mother to help fund education in Haiti and joined a Boston-based nonprofit that delivers free books to underserved communities. Melissa was raised in North Attleboro, Massachusetts and is a graduate of Suffolk University in Boston with a degree in broadcast journalism. "For Haiti, and for every Haitian in every corner of the world. This is bigger than o...
Read more

Miss USA 2025: Meet the contestants

Image
Miss USA 2025, the much-awaited 74th Miss USA pageant will be held on Friday, October 24 at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, Nevada. This year's competition marks the fourth occasion it will take place in Reno after 2019, 2022, and 2023. Also, this will be the first edition under the leadership of the new Chairman, President, and CEO, Thom Brodeur. The next Miss USA will head to Bangkok, Thailand to represent "the land of opportunity" at the highly anticipated Miss Universe 2025 pageant this November. Contestants representing the 50 states and the District of Columbia were selected to compete for the coveted national title. Some states simply appointed their representatives through an open call, as they were unable to hold their own state pageants. Who will succeed last year's winner Alma Cooper of Michigan? View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss USA (@missusa) Meet the contestants: ALABAMA - Kennedy Whisenant ALASKA - Kelsey Craft AR...
Read more

Polish-American Emily Reng to represent Poland at Miss Universe 2025

Image
Polish-American Emily Reng was officially announced by the Miss Polonia organization as Miss Universe Poland 2025 on Wednesday, October 22. The 20-year-old will now prepare to represent Poland at the Miss Universe 2025 pageant in Thailand this coming November. Emily is a graduate of John Hersey High School in Arlington Heights, Illinois and is currently a student at the University of South Carolina. The new Miss Universe Poland is no stranger to pageantry. Prior to competing at Miss Polonia 2024 where she finished second runner-up, she won the title of Miss Polish America 2024 in Chicago. Road to the 74th Miss Universe: View this post on Instagram A post shared by EMILY RENG (@emilyreng) Photos: Przemek Kowalczyk, Magdalena Michalak / Miss Polonia
Read more

Miss Grand International 2025 is Emma Mary Tiglao of the Philippines

Image
Emma Mary Tiglao of the Philippines was crowned Miss Grand International 2025 on Saturday, October 18 at MGI Hall in Bangkok, Thailand. The 30-year-old news anchor from Mabalacat City, Pampanga bested 76 other contestants to clinch the second golden crown for the Philippines. Sarunrat Puagpipat of Thailand, Aitana Carolina Jimenez of Spain, Faith Maria Porter of Ghana, and Nariman Battikha of Venezuela were announced the first, second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. Laura Ramos of Colombia, Markéta Mörwicková of the Czech Republic, Ana-Sofía Lendl of Guatemala, Montserrat Villalva of Mexico, and Beatrice Alex Akyoo made the Top 10 and were all named fifth runners-up. Beauties from Belgium, Brazil, Dominican Republic, France, Ecuador, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Martinique, Paraguay, United Kingdom, USA, and Zambia were the rest of the Top 22 semifinalists. The new Miss Grand International succeeded her fellow Filipina Christine Juliane Opiaza. This marked the first back-to...
Read more

Puerto Rico's Zashely Alicea Rivera to wear hummingbird-inspired costume at Miss Universe 2025

Image
Puerto Rico's national costume for the upcoming 74th Miss Universe (Miss Universe 2025) has been officially revealed on Tuesday, October 21 at the San Juan Museum. Designed by renowned designer Joshuan Aponte, Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2025 Zashely Alicea Rivera will be wearing the "El Zumbador de Puerto Rico" (The Puerto Rican Emerald) costume. The costume was inspired by the majestic Puerto Rican emerald, a unique hummingbird species found only in Puerto Rico and holds particular significance as a symbol of the island's unique biodiversity. It features an iridescent crystal-embroidered bodice that reflects the metallic sheen of the hummingbird's wings; a sauté tutu in iridescent greens, blues, and violets culminating in the bird's signature forked blue tail; and dramatic wings that highlight the energy, swiftness, and grace that distinguish this unique pollinator. The headdress, inspired by the bird's characteristic beak, completes the design with a scul...
Read more

Miss USA 2025 is Audrey Eckert from Nebraska

Image
Audrey Eckert from Nebraska bested 50 other contestants to be crowned Miss USA 2025 on Friday, October 24 at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, Nevada. The 23-year-old digital safety advocate and a former Husker cheerleader also bagged the Best in Swimsuit award. during the preliminary competition. She will now prepare to represent the United States of America at the Miss Universe 2025 pageant in Thailand this coming November. Ivy Harrington of New Jersey was named first runner-up while Chantéa McIntyre of Oregon, Taylor Davis of Texas, and Mary Sickler of Nevada were the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. Kennedy Whisenant of Alabama, Lou Schieffelin of Florida, Savannah Miles of Georgia, Zoe Ferraro of Oklahoma, and Victoria Chuah of Vermont were the rest of the Top 10 finalists. Completing the Top 20 were Arkansas, Olivia Halsey, Idaho, Jenny Ting Crawford, Louisiana, Francie Millan, Maine, Shelby Howell, Missouri, Shae Smith, New Hampshire, Mona Lesa Brackett, Rhode ...
Read more

Miss Universe Armenia 2025 is Peggy Garabekian

Image
American-Armenian Peggy Garabekian bested nine other contestants to be crowned Miss Universe Armenia 2025 in a recently held national competition. The 30-year-old international model and human rights advocate residing in Los Angeles, California will represent Armenia at the Miss Universe 2025 pageant in Thailand this November. No stranger to pageantry, Peggy has already joined several pageants prior to becoming Miss Universe Armenia. She has competed in Miss Asia USA, Miss United Nations, Miss World America, Miss California USA, and recently won Miss Vizcaya Swimwear. "The Armenian community has always been a huge support system for me. My friends and my family have been the pillars to my entire foundation of pageantry so I'm very thankful for them. Had it not been for them i would not be as far as I've gotten now," shared the new Miss Universe Armenia shorty after winning her title. When asked for the legacy she wanted to leave Armenians with her beauty title, she re...
Read more

Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2025 is Zashely Alicea Rivera

Image
Zashely Alicea Rivera, representing Dorado, was crowned Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2025 on Thursday, August 14 at Centro de Bellas Artes de Santurce in San Juan. The 25-year-old psychology graduate, professional ballet dancer and model will represent Puerto Rico at Miss Universe 2025 in Thailand this November. Samarys Barbot Arroyo of Jayuya was named first runner-up while Isys Arimar Santos Crespo of  Vieques, Marisabel Rivera Negrón of Ponce and  Aneichka Maldonado Torres of Canóvanas were the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. The new Miss Universe Puerto Rico succeeded last year's winner  Jennifer Colón Alvarado who made the Top 12 at Miss Universe 2024 last November in Mexico. Road to the 74th Miss Universe: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss Universe Puerto Rico (@muniversepr) Photos: Josian Bruno / Wapa Digital
Read more

Miss Universe Czech Republic 2025 is Michaela Tomanová

Image
Michaela Tomanová was crowned Miss Universe Czech Republic 2025 (Miss Universe Czechia) on Wednesday, June 25 at Chateau de Frontiere in Hlohovec. The 27-year-old mother, model and scientist from Prague will represent the Czech Republic at the Miss Universe 2025 pageant in Thailand this November. Completing the Top 4 finalists were Eva Brožková, Petra Šafránková, and Sarah Duong Vu Thi Thuy. The new Miss Universe Czech Republic became the first national winner under the directorship of fashion designer Sam Dolce. Michaela is a proud mom to a 14-month-old daughter and an advocate for HIV awareness. She entered the competition with a vision to unite science, advocacy, and public voice. Road to the 74th Miss Universe: View this post on Instagram A post shared by MISS UNIVERSE ČESKO (@missuniverseczechia) Photos: Eva Výsmeková, Miss Universe Česko / Instagram
Read more