2023 miss universe winner

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, was crowned Miss Universe on Saturday (Jan 14) 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. Thumping music rang out, and she was handed a bouquet of flowers, draped in the winner's sash and crowned with a tiara onstage at the 71st Miss Universe Competition, held in New Orleans. In the Q&A at the last stage of the competition for the three finalists, Gabriel was asked how she would work to demonstrate Miss Universe is “an empowering and progressive organisation” if she were to win. “I would use it to be a transformational leader,” she responded, citing her work using recycled materials in her fashion design and teaching sewing to survivors of human trafficking and domestic violence. “It is so important to invest in others, invest in our community and use your unique talent to make a difference." Rights to the pageant – once partly owned by former President Donald Trump – were bought last year by a Thai business tycoon and transgender activist for US$20 million from IMG Worldwide LLC, a New York-based sports and talent marketing company. Chakrapong “Anne” Chakrajutathib, who controls JKN Global Group Public Co. Ltd., is a reality show star in Thailand who is outspoken about being...

The Miss Universe Organization and its chief executive have issued statements defending their 2023 champion, Miss USA R’Bonney Gabriel, amid allegations that the Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants were rigged. Over the weekend, Gabriel was crowned Miss Universe In a statement provided Wednesday to the Los Angeles Times, the Miss Universe Organization vehemently dismissed the “false” rigging allegations as “absurd.” Chief executive Amy Emmerich also pointed out that a law firm conducted an independent investigation into the Miss USA controversy last year and determined that “the rigging allegations were unfounded.” Miss Universe Organization has suspended the Miss USA president and her firm and launched an investigation into whether the 2022 pageant was rigged. “The allegations re: rigging of Miss Universe are false,” Emmerich said in the statement. “People saying that its ‘suspect’ that JKN Global Group owns both Miss Universe and Miss USA aren’t familiar with the history of the organizations,” the statement added. “One of the top 4 accounting firms in the United States handled the results and verified the process. ... R’Bonney has been a strong and dedicated contestant. She is the rightful Miss Universe. I look forward to this much attention being focused on her non-profit work as well.” In October, the Miss Universe Organization suspended Miss USA President Crystle Stewart and hired a third party to look into the cheating rumors. The probe was launched after a number of...