Harnaaz Sandhu and Miss Universe contestants light up Mardi Gras in New Orleans
Some Miss Universe candidates and the reigning queen Harnaaz Sandhu strut the streets of New Orleans, Louisiana in the U.S. in their stunning costumes at the annual Mardi Gras parade in honor of St. Joan of Arc.
On Monday, January 9, Harnaaz Sandhu of India posted on her personal Instagram account, indeed looking glamorous in a gleaming cream gown, white gloves, and a back piece made of feathers.
“Every day is Mardi Gras in New Orleans,” Sandhu wrote.
Sadly, the Philippines’ own representative, Celeste Cortesi, was not spotted at the Joan of Arc parade.
Named after the patron saint of France, the Joan of Arc parade is a quasi-religious event that pays tribute to the heroine’s birthday and the French cultural heritage of New Orleans. 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.
Concurrently, on their official Instagram page on Sunday, January 8, the Miss Universe Organization (MUO) shared snippets of the beauty queens flaunting spectacular Mardi Gras-inspired costumes at the parade.
U.S.-based photographers Benjamin Askinas and Tracy Nguyễn took the photos and the MUO posted them with the caption, “Life of the Mardi…Gras! [heart emojis]”.
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).
The coronation night of the 71st Miss Universe will be held at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center on January 14, the morning of January 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. Meawnhile, of course, our very own Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray and American Ninja Warrior Zuri Hall will be the backstage commentators.
