Miss Universe 2022 R'Bonney Gabriel: Fun Facts About the New Queen

R'Bonney Gabriel won the Miss Universe 2022 crown on Saturday night during the 71st edition of the world's most prestigious beauty pageant.

Miss USA is the winner of the new era of the competition, led by transgender billionaire Anne Jakkaphong Jakrajutatip of Thailand.

The event took place at New Orleans's Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.

The Miss Universe 2022 competition was held in 2023 to avoid a scheduling conflict with the 2022 FIFA World Cup hosted by Qatar, according to Marca.

Gabriel takes the position of Harnaaz Sandhu, the Miss Universe 2021 winner from India. She will represent the group's new mission, prioritizing issues like gender equality and women's rights over the superficial appeal. As the new administration emphasizes, this is a contest "made by women, for women."

Get to know the newly crowned Miss Universe 2022 R'Bonney Gabriel in these fun facts.

She Was an Intern for Designer Nicole Miller

After finishing her education at the University of Northern Texas, R'Bonney relocated to the Big Apple. The internship she landed with renowned fashion designer Nicole Miller was a huge break for her.

She picked up the importance of thinking about one's appearance while working under a famous designer. She takes great pride in designing and sewing her costumes for auditions and performances.

She Is an Eco-Friendly Fashion Designer

In her bio, R'Bonney describes herself as an "eco-friendly fashion designer, sewing instructor for domestic abuse survivors, artist helping women learn tools for success, advocate for sustainability in the fashion industry."

She won Miss Texas USA by wearing a garment she found in a thrift shop and turning it into a dress.

Her Father Only Had $20 When He Traveled to America

R'Bonney shared the story with the Houston station of ABC News in October 2022: "My dad moved to America from the Philippines on a college scholarship with about $20 in his pocket," she said, stating that her father wanted to start a new life.

She also said that her father met her Beumont-native mother in Texas, and she is a very proud Filipina-Texan.

She Made History as the First Filipina-American To Be Crowned Miss Texas USA

R'Bonney became the first Filipina-American to win the title of Miss Texas USA, said Hollywood Life.

When asked about the accolade during an interview in December 2021, she stated, "I'm getting messages on Instagram and just social media of Filipina girls and women telling me they're so excited, they're so happy. They're crying tears of joy because they are inspired to go after pageantry or something," she said, stating that she is like creating a way for them to pursue what they want regardless of what it is, so it is an honor.

Her Hobbies Are Hula Hooping and Backpacking

From an early age, R'Bonney was focused on her goals. The current Miss Universe learned how to sew when she was just 15 years old.

She also said she took up sewing because she enjoyed working with her hands to make something new from fabric.

According to her bio, when she is not designing sustainable apparel, she spends her time reading, hula hooping, and camping.

She Handmade the Outfit She Wore During the Miss Universe 2022 Prelims

During the Miss Universe 2022 preliminary competition, R'Bonney Gabriel wore a dress she had designed to depict the "ups and downs" of her Miss USA reign.

Gabriel, who competed for the Miss Universe crown on Saturday, breaking the 10-year title drought for USA, following Olivia Culpo's in 2012 victory.

The 28-year-old fashion designer documented her path to the Miss Universe competition by posting photos of her handmade ensembles on Instagram.

A dark blue jumpsuit meant to evoke a thunderstorm stood out among her several outfits for the Miss Universe preliminary.

Gabriel explained the meaning of the jumpsuit in a separate interview with journalist Dyan Castillejo, which was tweeted out to the public, according to Insider.

Gabriel discussed the "ups and downs" she had encountered since being crowned Miss USA in October 2022.

"Thunderstorms are dark, they're chaotic, and it was just a reflection of my time as Miss USA," Gabriel said. "These last three months, there were ups and downs. There were many challenges, and I was forced to look for the beauty in darkness."

R'Bonney Gabriel also revealed that she spent roughly 50 hours hand-sewing the garment.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

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