The three-hourlong Miss Universe competition streamed live on Saturday, Jan. 14, from New Orleans’ Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, where more than 80 women from around the world competed for the coveted title of Miss Universe. And when the ballots were tabulated, the title of the 71st Miss Universe went to Miss USA R’bonney Gabriel.
After a competition, which featured categories such as interviews, evening gown, swimwear, and community impact, she was crowned by the 70th Miss Universe, Harnaaz Sandhu.
The winner of Miss Universe was 28-year-old Miss USA R’Bonney Gabriel, a fashion designer from Houston, Texas, who drove four hours to the pageant from her home.
Gabriel, the first Filipino American to win the Miss USA title, is a fashion designer, model and sewing instructor. A graduate of the University of North Texas with a bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design with a Minor in Fibers, she is the CEO of her own sustainable clothing line. Her platform is “for women and young girls to see themselves in her, and feel inspired to conquer their goals by owning who they are.”
When she made the Top 5, Gabriel was asked: “Miss Universe recently made an inclusive change allowing mothers and married women to compete in the next pageant. What’s another change you’d like to see and why?”
The response that got her into the Top 3 was: “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?’ Because 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.”
Then, when she made the Top 3, she was asked: “If you win Miss Universe, how will you work to demonstrate this is an empowering and progressive organization?”
Her winning response that helped her clinch the title was: ” 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’m cutting down on pollution through recycled materials when I make my clothing. I teach 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 in other people in our life, we transform them, and we use that as a vehicle for change.”
The first runner-up was Amanda Dudamel, Miss Universe Venezuela 2022 and the second runner-up was Andreina Martinez Founier, Miss Universe Dominican Republic 2022.
