Entertainment

Miss USA has been crowned Miss Universe 2022

Published

1 year ago

January 15, 2023

Miss USA R’Bonney Gabriel wowed judges at the Miss Universe beauty pageant on Sunday to become the first-ever Filipina-American winner in history..

Gabriel beat 83 other participants for the title at the 71st annual pageant and was crowned by the reigning Miss Universe, Harnaaz Sandhu, who was the first Indian contestant to take the title in 21 years back in 2021.

The fashion designer beat runners-up from Venezuela, Amanda Dudamel and the Dominican Republic, Andreina Martinez, to take the crown after the more than 80 competitors were gradually whittled down during the night.

None of the competitors from the Middle East, including Miss Universe Bahrain Evlin Khalifa, made it to the shortlist, where contestants paraded in swimwear and evening gowns for hundreds of spectators and a live television audience

In later rounds, finalists were questioned on issues such as bullying, women’s empowerment and the future of the Miss Universe pageant..

Gabriel wept as she was bestowed with the $5.5 million crown by Lebanese jeweller Mouawad, which is embedded with 110 carats of blue sapphires and 48 carats of white diamonds.

The beauty queen, 28, from Bayou City, Texas, has previously created some of her own pageant gowns. Her own eco-friendly fashion line, which encompasses T-shirts to dresses, is called R’Bonney Nola.

She will start her reign as Miss Universe 2022 with immediate effect after last year’s ceremony was postponed because it clashed with the Fifa World Cup. Another competition to pick the 2023 winner is expected to be held later this year.