Sahar Biniaz

Sahar Biniaz (born November 17, 1986) is a Persian-Canadian actress, model and beauty pageant titleholder who won Miss Universe Canada 2012 and Miss Universe Persia 2025. She had a recurring role on the hit TV show Sanctuary as the Hindu goddess of power Kali. She was set to represent Iran at Miss Universe 2025 pageant held in Thailand, but later withdrew in solidarity with and out of respect for her national director, Golshan Barazesh — whose unexplained detention in Iran is a serious human rights concern.

Biography Biniaz was born in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India to an Iranian family. She grew up in Iran, and a few years later, her family moved to Vancouver, Canada, where she became a naturalized Canadian. She graduated with honors from the Stella Adler Studio of Acting School in Los Angeles.

Pageant history Biniaz competed in the Miss Universe Canada 2003 pageant where she did not place. She went on to compete in beauty pageants representing Canada, including winning 1st runner-up in Miss Universe Canada 2008. Four years later, she competed in the same pageant and won the title of Miss Universe Canada 2012. She also won the Revlon Professional Best Hair award. Biniaz was initially set to represent Canada at Miss Universe 2012 in the United States, but was forced to withdraw due to a foot injury and was subsequently replaced by 1st Runner-Up Adwoa Yamoah. Thirteen years later, on May 31, 2025, she was crowned Miss Universe Persia 2025 in Oberhausen, Germany and was set to represent Iran at Miss Universe 2025 in Thailand but withdrew.

Personal causes; pit bulls

At the age of 14, Biniaz was mauled by a family pit bull. "The Richmond resident was the victim of a pit bull attack herself at the age of 14, a year after her family adopted a five-month-old pit bull from a breeder. The pit bull 'came from a really nice environment', she said, but 'then I ended up getting 16 stitches. Biniaz still bears the scars on her chest to this day."Nursall, Kim. Miss Universe Canada joins call to restrict pit bulls in BC. Vancouver, BC: The Vancouver Sun. 31 Aug 2012. Page A6, col. 2.

As a result of being a pit bull victim, in 2012, she decided to join the fight for pit bull controls and "plans to make the effort a major part of her [Miss Universe Canada] reign... noting that with her Miss Universe Canada title she now has a voice to bring more awareness to this issue."

She consequently became the object of vitriol from pit bull advocates, who lobbied the Miss Universe organization to strip her of her title for speaking out.Peverley, Lance. Trolls, pit bulls and a universe of misinformation. Peace Arch News. 24 Oct 2012. Accessed 14 June 2022 at https://www.peacearchnews.com/opinion/column-trolls-pit-bulls-and-a-universe-of-misinformation/ Some pit bull advocates accused her of not really being Canadian and not representing Canadian values.Beyeler, Anne. "Miss Biniaz is not Canadian and does not represent Canadian values." Strip Sahar Biniaz of her title! Accessed 14 June 2022 at www . change . org/p/denis-davila-national-director-of-miss-universe-canada-strip-sahar-biniaz-of-her-title Year Pageant Placement2003Miss Universe Canada Unplaced 2003 Miss Global Beauty Queen 1st Runner-upMiss Global Beauty – Keepers of the Crown 2008 Miss Tourism Queen International 2nd runner-up 2008 Miss Universe Canada 1st runner-up 2012 Miss Universe Canada Winner 2025 Miss Universe Persia Winner

Filmography + Film roles Year Title Role Notes 2005 Neal 'n' Nikki Teacher 2009 Watchmen Foreign Newscaster (as Sahar) 2009 2012 Showgirl (uncredited) 2010 The Search for Santa Paws Posh Poodle Woman Video 2012 Ambrosia Leila 2013 Tom Dick & Harriet Car Model TV movie

+ Television roles Year Title Role Notes 2006 Blade: The Series Sabine 6 episodes 2007 Painkiller Jane Hottie 1 episode 2008 Under One Roof Sylvia 1 episode 2010 Blue Mountain State Natrina 1 episode 2007–2010 Smallville Shayera Hall, background roles 4 episodes 2010 Sanctuary Kali 4 episodes 2012 True Justice Madame 1 episode

Sahar Biniaz

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