Who is R’Bonney Gabriel, Miss Universe 2022?
MANILA, Philippines – R’Bonney Gabriel of america took dwelling the title of Miss Universe 2022 through the pageant’s coronation evening in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, on Saturday, January 14 (Sunday morning, January 15 in Manila).
R’Bonney bested 83 candidates to be the ninth consultant from the USA to win the Miss Universe title, making USA nonetheless probably the most adorned nation within the pageant’s historical past.
She succeeded India’s Harnaaz Sandhu because the pageant entered a brand new period with new proprietor Anne Jakapong Jakrajutatip.
A Fil-Am magnificence queen
Born to an American mom from Beaumont, Texas and a Filipino father, R’Bonney made historical past as the primary Filipino-American candidate to win the Miss Texas USA, Miss USA, and Miss Universe pageants.
In an interview with Houston Life, R’Bonney shared that her father left Manila for america on a school scholarship with “solely $20 {dollars} in his pocket” to “pave a brand new life for himself.” R’Bonney is the youngest and solely lady amongst 4 youngsters.
Calling herself a “very proud Filipina Texan,” R’Bonney has been very vocal about her combined heritage. She mentioned that after her Miss Texas USA win, a number of younger Filipinas have been messaging her on her social media to inform her that she impressed them to additionally pursue pageantry.
In line with her official Miss Universe biography, R’Bonney says her mission is “for girls and younger women to see themselves in her, and really feel impressed to overcome their targets by proudly owning who they’re.” The sweetness queen added that she’d prefer to be a voice for Asian-People who will “open the door for extra variety and illustration in society.”
Throughout her Miss Universe pageant stint, R’Bonney collaborated with Filipino designers for her ensembles – her night robe through the preliminary competitors and coronation evening have been created by Rian Fernandez, whereas her nationwide costume was made by Patrick Isorena.
Highway to Miss Universe
Whereas it could be a historic win, R’Bonney’s journey to the Miss Universe crown was not straightforward.
She first joined Miss Texas USA in 2021, the place she completed second after winner Victoria Hinojosa.
In July 2022, R’Bonney participated on the Miss Texas USA pageant once more, and this time, she received the title. She represented Texas within the Miss USA 2022 pageant, the place she once more took dwelling the crown.
Her Miss USA win, although, was hounded by controversy when a number of candidates claimed {that a} winner was already predetermined earlier than it was even introduced through the October 2022 coronation evening. R’Bonney responded to the speculations, insisting that the pageant was not rigged. “I’d by no means enter any pageant or any competitors that I do know I’d win. I’ve loads of integrity,” she informed E! Information on the time.
And as she represented the USA within the 71st Miss Universe pageant, R’Bonney proved her naysayers incorrect by rising because the pageant’s winner.
Through the pageant’s query and reply phase for the Top 5, R’Bonney was requested of the change she’d prefer to see within the Miss Universe group, to which she replied with:
“For me, I wish to see an age enhance. As a result of I’m 28 years outdated, and that’s the oldest age to compete. I believe it’s a lovely factor. My favourite quote is, ‘If not now, then when?’ As a lady, I consider age doesn’t outline us. It’s not tomorrow, it’s not yesterday, but it surely’s now. The time is now which you can go after what you need.”
A transformational chief
Exterior the pageant scene, R’Bonney is a designer, mannequin, and stitching teacher. Her Miss Universe profile described her as a “high-school volleyball participant who pivoted to vogue” and has “shortly fallen in love with setting up designs with materials and textiles” since she was 15.
She earned a bachelor’s diploma in Vogue Design with a minor in Fibers from the College of North Texas in 2018. It’s not stunning that she additionally designed a number of the ensembles she wore all through her pageant stints.
Except for being the CEO of her personal sustainable clothes line, R’Bonney Nola, she can be the lead stitching teacher at Magpies & Peacock, a Houston based mostly non-profit design home that’s recognized for his or her dedication to sustainability and neighborhood affect. She additionally teaches stitching courses to ladies who have been victims of human trafficking and home violence.
These experiences – introduced upon by having sewed for 13 years – will push her to be a “transformational chief,” R’Bonney mentioned through the pageant’s Top 3 query and reply phase. In her profitable reply, she emphasised that she is going to use “vogue as a power of excellent” in order that Miss Universe will proceed to be a extra empowered and progressive group.
“It’s so vital to spend money on others, spend money on our neighborhood, and use your distinctive expertise to make a distinction. All of us give one thing particular, and once we plant these seeds to different individuals in our life, we remodel them and we use that as a automobile for change.” – Rappler.com
