MISS USA R’BONNEY GABRIEL IS THE NEW MISS UNIVERSE

Miss USA’s R’Bonney Gabriel wins the Miss Universe 2022 crown held in New Orleans. The finals aired on Sunday, January 15.

Amanda Dudamel from Venezuela followed the Filipino-American Gabriel as first runner-up and will take over in the event Gabriel is unable to perform her duties.

Making up the final placement is the Dominican Republic’s Andreína Martínez as second runner-up.

After weeks of stiff competition, Harnaaz Sandhu of India officially passes down the title to the representative of the United States of America.

R’Bonney Gabriel bested 86 women competing at the pageant’s 71st anniversary. Gabriel was born in Houston, Texas on March 20, 1994. A proud Filipina Texan, R’Bonney told ABC News’ local affiliate in Houston during an interview: “My dad moved to America from the Philippines on a college scholarship with about $20 in his pocket. He wanted to pave a new life for himself. He met my mom in Texas, who is a country woman from Beaumont. I’m a very proud Filipina Texan.”

Gabriel earned a degree in fashion design with a minor in fibers in 2018 from the University of North Texas.

She first started sewing at age 15 and fell in love with the process of constructing things out of fabrics and textiles.

The 28-year-old made history back in December 2021 as the first Filipina-American to win Miss Texas USA.

The Philippines’ Celeste Cortesi finished outside of the Top 16; ending a 12 year-long streak of the coutnry making it to the semifinal round of Miss Universe.

Style MNL staff

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This is the official staff tab of Style MNL. Follow us on our social media accounts and fan page to learn more about the latest stories from our site.