Miss USA, R’Bonney Gabriel, has emerged the winner of Miss Universe 2022.
The 71st edition of the world’s most important beauty pageant was headed by Thai billionaire Anne Jakkaphong Jakrajutatip, a transgender woman.
The event was held at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans.
Although the edition was held in 2023, this pageant corresponds to the Miss Universe 2022 title, which was postponed so as not to compete with the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Gabriel received the crown from her predecessor, Miss India Harnaaz Sandhu, who won the beauty pageant in 2021.
The crown is made of a new ‘Force for Good’ tiara that has 993 precious stones and a 45.14-carat sapphire.
It is valued at $5.3 million, the most expensive crown in the pageant’s 71-year history.
The sash, meanwhile, was made from recyclable materials for the first time in the pageant’s history.
Miss Venezuela Amanda Dudamel and Miss Dominican Republic Andreina Martinez emerged as the first and second runner-up, respectively.
The three winners will have to dedicate a year to the organization and move to Thailand, where the world headquarters of the contest are now located.
The 71st edition of the pageant was hosted by presenter Jeannie Mai and 2012 pageant winner Olivia Culpo, with 84 countries participating.
Gabriel, 28, was born in San Antonio, Texas and became the first woman of Filipino descent to win the Miss USA title.
Her father Remigio Bonzon ‘R. Bon’ Gabriel, is a Filipino immigrant who came to the country to study psychology at the University of Southern California with only $20 in his pocket.
He married Dana Walker, a U.S. citizen, and later went on to earn a Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Houston.
According to her official bio, R’Bonney Gabriel is an eco-friendly fashion designer, model, and sewing instructor.
She is the lead sewing instructor at Magpies and Peacocks, a Houston-based non-profit design house that is dedicated to using “fashion as a force for good” through sustainability and community impact.
She says her mission is for women and young girls to see themselves in her and feel inspired to conquer their goals by owning who they are.
During the ceremony, the final Top 16 as revealed in last night’s glamorous event were Ashley Cario (Puerto Rico), Mideline Phelizor (Haiti), Monique Riley (Australia), Andreina Martinez Founier (Dominican Republic), Payengxa Lor (Laos), Ndavi Nokeri (South Africa), Telma Madeira (Portugal), Amelia Tu (Canada), Alessia Rovegno (Per), Tya Jané Ramey (Trinidad & Tobago), Gabri
After the competition between the beauty queens in their evening gowns and bathing suits, the Top 5 were announced as: Amanda Dudamel (Venezuela), R’Bonney Gabriel (USA), Ashley Cario (Puerto Rico), Gabrila Dos Santos (Curacao), and Andreina Martinez Founier (Dominican Republic).
The next edition of the Miss Universe pageant will be hosted in El Salvador.