Miss Diva 2021 was the 9th edition of the Miss Diva beauty pageant which was held on 30 September 2021 in Hyatt Regency Hotel, Mumbai. The 20 shortlisted contestants from all over the country has competed in the pageant. Adline Castelino crowned Harnaaz Sandhu as her successor. After three months, she represented India at Miss Universe 2021 and became the 3rd Miss Universe from India to win the crown. Aavriti Choudhary crowned Ritika Khatnani as her successor. She will represent India at Miss Supranational 2022. Neha Jaiswal crowned Sonal Kukreja as 1st Runner Up, whereas Kriti Sanon sashed all the remaining Runner Ups.
This edition marked the longest period of time (20 months after Miss Diva 2020) that the organization has taken to hold an annual contest in contrast to its previous editions.
For the first time in Miss Diva's history, the Organization has lowered the height criteria from 5'5 "to 5'4". The organization now also allows transwomen to enter the pageant meeting the criteria in certain.[1][2][3][4]
Dipanjali Chhetri became the first trans woman to compete in the Miss Diva competition. She made it to the top 50 semifinalists.[5][6][7]
Selection of candidates
In light of the pandemic situation that has paralyzed the nation, the Miss Diva Organization made the conscious decision to follow the digital course and limit its operations to virtual projection and online interviews, thus presenting a propitious opportunity for applicants participate from the comfort of their homes. The Organization opened the application to the public on June 11, 2021 until July 20, 2021.[8][9][10]
After the initial auditions, applicants are shortlisted to a Top 50 list, and these candidates were summoned for several rounds of interviews, chaired by an elite bench of celebrities. Later, the selected contestants shortened down to top 20 finalists, including a wild card entry, chosen by public vote. These 20 finalists took part of the contest's boot-camp and will compete in the final event to be held in Mumbai on 30 September 2021.[11]
Contestants
Top 20
The following are the 20 official contestants:[12]
As in the previous edition, the winner of the Campus Princess contest will obtain a direct place in the Top 20 of Miss Diva 2021. Below are the Top 18 finalists of Campus Princess 2020. The list of finalists was announced in two parts, Part I and Part II on July 24 and 25, 2021 respectively. Miss Diva 2021 Top 50 was announced on 16 August 2021.[14]
On August 23, 2021, the Top 20 and Top 5 Wild Card aspirants were announced. The top 5 wild card contenders will face a public online vote until August 30, 2021 and the one with the most votes will enter the Top 20.[15]
Sushant Divgikar - Performing artist, singer, equal rights champion, and motivational speaker
Shefali Sood - Miss Diva Supranational 2019
Crossovers & Returnees
Contestants who previously competed in previous editions of Liva Miss Diva and other local and international beauty pageants with their respective placements.
^Replacement — Naveli Deshmukh was appointed to compete at Miss Diva 2021 by the Miss Diva organisation, as a replacement to Akshita Shetty due to unforeseen circumstances. Akshita Shetty was among the Top 20 finalists of the Miss Diva 2021.[13]
