NEW ORLEANS – Miss Universe 2022 proclaimed Miss USA R’Bonney Gabriel as its 71st titleholder on Jan. 14 in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, besting 82 other contestants from across the globe.
Gabriel who hails from Houston, Texas, is born to a Filipino father, Remigio Bonzon “R. Bon” Gabriel, and an American mother, Dana Walker. The 28-year-old has also made history in the Miss USA competition being its first Filipino-American winner.
The newly-crowned Miss Universe earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Fashion Design with a Minor in Fibers from the University of North Texas in 2018.
Aside from modeling, she is currently a fashion designer and CEO of her own sustainable clothing line R’Bonney Nola, and a sewing instructor at Magpies & Peacocks where she mentors women who were victims of human trafficking and domestic violence. All these, she was later able to incorporate in her answer for the event’s final Q&A.
Top 5
The beauty queen competed against Venezuela’s Amanda Dudamel, Puerto Rico’s Ashley Cariño, Curacao’s Gabriela Dos Santos, and Dominican Republic’s Andreina Founier during the Top 5 Q&A Segment.
During this portion, Gabriel was asked: “Miss Universe recently made an inclusive change, allowing mothers and married women to compete this year. What’s another change you’d like to see and why?“
“For me, I would like to see an age increase. Because I am 28 years old, and that is the oldest age to compete. I think it’s a beautiful thing. My favorite quote is, ‘If not now, then when?’ As a woman, I believe age does not define us. It’s not tomorrow, it’s not yesterday, but it’s now. The time is now that you can go after what you want.”
Top 3
Miss USA then advanced to the Top 3 along with Miss Venezuela and Miss Dominican Republic. This time, all three were given the same question: “If you win Miss Universe, how would you work to demonstrate this as an empowering and progressive organization?”
“Well, I would use it to be a transformational leader. As a very passionate designer, I’ve been sewing for 13 years. I use fashion as a force for good. In my industry, I’ve been cutting down on pollution through recycled materials when I make my clothing. I choose sewing classes to women that have survived from human trafficking and domestic violence. And I say that because it is so important to invest in others invest in our community, and use your unique talent to make a difference. We all have something special and when we plant those seeds to other people in our life, we transform them and we use that as a vehicle for change,” Gabriel responded.
With Gabriel’s profound answer showing she has been walking the talk and has long been taking concrete steps in line with her advocacies, she emerged as the pageant night’s champion, giving USA its 9th Miss Universe crown.
Meanwhile, messages of appreciation and gratitude from Filipino viewers poured out for Miss Philippines 2022 Celeste Rabimbi Cortesi for giving her best performance and representing the country well during the gruelling competition.