Divya Rai representing India at Miss Universe 2022
Ms. Rai, who was 25 when she won the Miss Diva Universe pageant last year, finished third in 2021 and was defeated by India’s Harnaaz Sandhu, who also won the Miss Universe pageant in the past. Only actors Sushmita Sen (1994) and Lara Dutta (2000) are Indians who have been crowned Miss Universe.
Born in Mangaluru, Karnataka, Ms. Rai’s ‘Sone ki Chidiya’ costume was inspired by “the ethereal depiction of India as the golden bird that represents the spiritual essence of living in harmony with diversity as well as the wealth of our rich cultural heritage”.
America’s R’Bonnie Gabriel was crowned Miss Universe this morning as India’s Divita Rai, who was in the top 16, missed the beauty pageant in New Orleans. Venezuela and the Dominican Republic were among the other contenders in the top 3.
