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The Most Disappointing Moments Of Miss Universe 2021: A Look Back At The Controversies!
By Travis W. Royal
š Introduction: A Pageant Marred by Drama
TheĀ Miss Universe 2021Ā competition, held inĀ Eilat, Israel, was one of the most anticipated editions in recent history. With a diverse group of contestants, high-stakes judging, and a return to an in-person event after the pandemic, expectations were sky-high.
However, the pageant was also riddled withĀ controversies, technical mishaps, and fan uproarĀ that overshadowed its glamour. From questionable judging to production blunders, hereās a breakdown of theĀ most disappointing moments of Miss Universe 2021āand why fans are still talking about them years later. ownthatcrown.com
š¤ 1. The Shocking Top 16 Cut
What Happened?
Instead of the usualĀ Top 21 or Top 15, Miss Universe 2021 abruptly announced aĀ Top 16āleaving fans confused. Even stranger, some strong contenders (Miss Colombia, Miss Venezuela, and Miss Philippines) were shockingly eliminated early.
Why It Was Disappointing:
āĀ Favorites Were SnubbedĀ ā Many believedĀ Miss Colombia (Valeria Ayos)Ā andĀ Miss Philippines (Beatrice Gomez)Ā deserved to advance.
āĀ No Clear ExplanationĀ ā The sudden format change felt arbitrary.
āĀ Social Media BacklashĀ ā #Rigged and #MissUniverseScam trended on Twitter.
š 2. The National Costume Controversy
What Happened?
Several delegations faced criticism for their national costumes:
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Miss USA (Elle Smith)Ā wore a “Statue of Liberty” outfit that fans calledĀ “too basic.”
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Miss Argentinaās “Tango” costumeĀ was accused of cultural appropriation.
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Miss Malaysiaās “Wau Bulan” (moon kite) designĀ was stunning but didnāt make the official showcase.
Why It Was Disappointing:
āĀ Lack of Diversity in JudgingĀ ā Many traditional, non-Western designs were overlooked.
āĀ Missed OpportunityĀ ā The national costume segment is a fan favorite but felt rushed.
š 3. The Awkward Hosting & Scripted Moments
What Happened?
Steve Harveyās return as host was highly anticipated, but the show suffered from:
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Cringeworthy jokesĀ (including an awkward moment withĀ Miss Nepal).
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Teleprompter failsĀ leading to stilted interviews.
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Forced “girl power” speechesĀ that felt inauthentic.
Why It Was Disappointing:
āĀ Missed Emotional BeatsĀ ā The Q&A rounds lacked depth.
āĀ Steve Harveyās Over-the-Top EnergyĀ ā Some felt he overshadowed the contestants.
š 4. The Swimsuit Round Lighting Disaster
What Happened?
During the swimsuit competition, theĀ lighting was so darkĀ that viewers could barely see the contestants. Fans complained:
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“Why does it look like a horror movie?”
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“Did they forget to pay the electricity bill?”
Why It Was Disappointing:
āĀ Ruined a Key SegmentĀ ā The swimsuit round is a highlight, but poor production killed the vibe.
āĀ Unfair to ContestantsĀ ā Many worked hard on their physiques but were barely visible.
š 5. The Questionable Final Judging
What Happened?
TheĀ final Top 3Ā were:
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Harnaaz Sandhu (India)Ā ā Winner
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Nadia Ferreira (Paraguay)Ā ā 1st Runner-Up
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Lalela Mswane (South Africa)Ā ā 2nd Runner-Up
WhileĀ Harnaaz was a deserving winner, fans questioned:
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Why Nadia (a fan favorite) didnāt winĀ despite her strong performance.
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Lalelaās low placementĀ after her powerful final answer on resilience.
Why It Was Disappointing:
āĀ Felt PredeterminedĀ ā Some speculated the winner was chosen for marketability.
āĀ South Africaās SnubĀ ā Lalela faced political backlash before the pageant, and many felt she was unfairly scored.
š 6. The Lackluster Crowd Energy
What Happened?
Due toĀ COVID-19 restrictions, the audience was limitedāleading to:
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Dead silenceĀ during emotional moments.
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No standing ovationsĀ for big performances.
Why It Was Disappointing:
āĀ Pageants Thrive on Crowd ReactionsĀ ā Without cheers, the energy fell flat.
āĀ Contestants Deserved Better ā Many trained for years for this moment. ownthatcrown.com
š„ 7. The Terrible Camera Work
What Happened?
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Missed key momentsĀ (likeĀ Miss Indiaās crowning reaction).
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Weird close-upsĀ during emotional speeches.
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Shaky transitionsĀ between segments.
Why It Was Disappointing:
āĀ Amateurish for a Global EventĀ ā Fans compared it to aĀ “high school production.”
š¬ 8. The Forgotten Delegates
Several contestants wereĀ barely shown, including:
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Miss JapanĀ (despite her stunning kimono-inspired gown).
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Miss IcelandĀ (who had a viral pre-pageant interview).
Why It Was Disappointing:
āĀ Every Queen Deserves Screen TimeĀ ā Fans invest in all contestants, not just the finalists.
š Conclusion: A Pageant That Could Have Been Legendary
Miss Universe 2021 hadĀ so much potentialāa historic location, inspiring women, and a return to glamour post-pandemic. But due toĀ poor production, questionable judging, and awkward moments, it became one of theĀ most divisive editions ever.
Still, it gave usĀ Harnaaz Sandhu, a radiant winner who has since become a global icon. Perhaps the real lesson?Ā Even in disappointment, beauty shines through.
šØļø YOUR TURN:
š¬Ā What was YOUR biggest letdown of MU 2021?
šĀ Do you think Harnaaz was the right winner?
Sound off below!Ā šš„
..(read more)
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Argentina ā¤
En ese Miss universo Argentina merecĆa top
At least Miss Thailand's weight was still good for her height. She copped so much because of it. And yet in 2023 Nepal gets into semi finals . Don't know why she's shorter and chunky.
ChilešØš±, Brazil š§š·, Boliviaš§š“, Thailand š¹š and Argentina š¦š·.
š¢
The destiny is not align with them, maybe India, no matter good or bad. Only God knows!
Argentina
Argentina es Hermosa
ŠŠøŃŃ Š¢Š°Š¹Š»Š°Š½Š“ 2021 Š¾ŃŠµŠ½Ń ŃŠ¼Š½Š°Ń, Ń Š¾ŃŠ¾Ńо вŃŃŃŃŠæŠ°ŠµŃ, Š¾ŃŠŗŃŃŃŠ°Ń, Š²ŠµŃŠµŠ»Š°Ń…но на миŃŃ Š²ŃŠµŠ»ŠµŠ½Š½Š¾Š¹ Ń Š±ŃŠ»Š° в ŃŠ¾ŠŗŠµ Š¾Ń ŠµŠµ вŃŃŃŃŠæŠ»ŠµŠ½ŠøŃ Šø наŃŃŃŠ¾ŠµŠ½ŠøŃ. ŠŃо Š±Ńла ŃŠ¾Š²Ńем " не ŃŠ° ГевŃŃŠŗŠ°" коŃŃŠ°Ń Š²ŃŠøŠ³Ńала Š½Š°ŃŠøŠ¾Š½Š°Š»ŃŠ½Ńй конкŃŃŃ. ŠŠ¾Ń Š¾Š“Ń Š·Š²ŃŠ·Š“Ń Š½Šµ ŃŠ¾ŃлиŃŃ Š“Š»Ń Š½ŠµŠµ….
I'm sure they can intop if there is top 20
nh
Standard recording
Argentina š¢ hoping she join another pageant, she is so stunning
Argentina is giving me MMD vibes šā¤
Brasil š¢
ŠŠ£ŠŠŠŠ???
Brazil š„ŗ
la unica que no merece ser enfocada es Thailand , bolivia , brasil , chile , argentina , la verdad si merecian.
La de argentina no es la misma que estĆ” vez ganó representando a Nicaragua…me parece idĆ©ntica ????
The fan vote MUST DISAPPEAR. It's unfair for the rest of the delegates who really deserve to qualify.
wow they are all so beautiful and all are winner because i they all have worked so hard to come on to this platform and they all deserve a huge applause and standing ovation ā¤ā¤ā¤ā¤ā¤ššššššššššššš
š¢š¢š¢ā¤ā¤ā¤š
Dont worry you made your own country proud . Failures are the stepping stone to success šā¤ā¤ā¤
Thailand was a given lol. She was never a standout
Sooo beautifulllllll Bolivia!!!!!ā¤ā¤ā¤ā¤ā¤ā¤
All were talented but it's a competition for a reason because at the end contestants do feel gutted except one
Why some of best doesn't get chance ?
Bolivia deserves to place again in the semifinals the last time theyād had was back in 2006
Que paso con la argentina š¦š·
Tan bella esa mujer y no la metieron
Thailand 2021 šššš½š·š¤¢
Boohooo im not the prettiestā¦. š
Miriam Habach in 2016 takes the cake for me šššš
Very! This girls have exerted so much effort and dedication. They came prepared and determined but in the end they were wasted.
Eles descartam Logo
As Lindas para não
Darem trabalho LĆ” na
Frente , afinal eles jĆ”
Tem a candidata favorita deles e qual
Continente vão escolher
Esse concurso foi na Ćsia , E. Escolheram a
Ćndia
Everything is artificial from their heads down to their toes. š®š®š®š¤š¤š¤
š¹šš¦š·š§š·šØš±
All candidate deserve but sad for š¹š beautiful candidate.
We love you š¹š from šµš
i dont think u guys watched these peoples in the preliminaries
I love Thailand but didint in to top 16 she was unplaced
Argentina š¦š· and Thailand š¹š š¢š„ŗš