R’Bonney Gabriel, a fashion designer, model and sewing instructor from Texas who competition officials said is the first Filipino American to win Miss USA, is crowned Miss Universe on Saturday night. Gabriel closed her eyes and clasped hands with runner-up Miss Venezuela, Amanda Dudamel, at the moment of the dramatic reveal of the winner, then beamed after her name was announced. The second runner-up is Miss Dominican Republic, Andreina Martinez. Miss Curacao, Gabriela Dos Santos, and Miss Puerto Rico, Ashley Carino, rounded out the top five finalists. Last year’s winner was Harnaaz Sandhu of India.
R'Bonney Gabriel from the United States was crowned the 71st Miss Universe on Saturday (Jan 14) night. Gabriel, who last year became the first Filipino-American to win Miss USA, took the crown ahead of Amanda Dudamel from Venezuela and Andreína Martínez from the Dominican Republic.
The pageant was held in New Orleans, Louisiana, with 84 women from around the world competing for the crown.
Saturday night was the last day of the competition, with eliminations narrowing down the number of finalists until the last two remained.
When Gabriel entered the Top 5, she was asked, "Miss Universe recently made an inclusive change allowing mothers and married women to compete this year. What's another change you'd like to see and why?"
Gabriel responded that she hoped the contest organizers would increase the candidate age limit.
"For me, I would like to see an age increase because I am 28 years old. And that is the oldest age to compete. And 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," she said.
Houston-native Gabriel is a model, fashion designer, and sewing instructor who prioritizes the environment in her work.
Earlier in the pageant, Gabriel donned a red-orange cape inspired by a rising phoenix with the maxim "if not now, then when," which she had dyed herself. The words take inspiration from her father's advice to act on goals, dreams and desires.
In the final question and answer segment of the competition, the Top 3 contenders were asked how they would work to demonstrate Miss Universe as an empowering and progressive organization if they won the title.
Gabriel said she would use the platform to be a "transformational leader" and emphasized her passion as a force for good in the fashion industry by cutting down on pollution and using recycled materials in making clothing pieces.
"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," Gabriel said.
"We all have something special and when we plant those seeds for other people in our life, we transform them and we use that as a vehicle for change."
This year's pageant was organized for the first time by JKN Global Group PCL, a Thailand-based media distribution company, after tycoon and transgender rights advocate Anne Jakkaphong Jakrajutatip bought the Miss Universe Organization for $20 million in October.
Jakkaphong has been outspoken about her experiences as a transgender woman, and is also the first woman owner of the pageant.
She made an appearance onstage to award the ImpactWayv Challenge winner to Thailand's Anna Sueangam-iam, honoring her commitments for social good.
Miss Thailand had in the preliminary rounds of the pageant made waves in a dress made of soda tabs – a tribute to her humble beginnings and her parents' work as garbage collectors.
(Compiled)
