Who is the miss universe of 2023

Miss USA R'Bonney Gabriel, back to camera, is hugged by other contestants after being crowned Miss Universe at the 71st Miss Universe pageant, in New Orleans on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) Miss Universe 2021 Harnaaz Sandhu held back tears and nearly fell as she took the stage one last time. She has gained weight since winning the crown and said in August 2022 that she had been constantly criticized on social media. "I was bullied for gaining weight," said the Indian-born beauty queen. "It was kind of uncomfortable and really surprising for me to see how people started having opinions, which should not really matter. It’s not about how you look, it’s about who you are from inside and how you treat people and what you believe in." 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 organization" 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.

Gabriel is the eldest of the family with three younger brothers and is extremely close to her family, even having her father model for her clothing brand, Gabriel studied fashion with a minor in fibers at the University of North Texas. She has also interned for Nicole Miller before going on to launch her own eco-friendly clothing line. The Southern beauty incorporates elements from her American and Filipino heritage in both her career as a fashion designer and as a pageant contestant. One of Gabriel’s previous collection was titled “Babae Tribe,” with “Babae” translated as “Female” from Tagalog, one of the Philippines’ official languages. In an Instagram post from April 2021, Gabriel shared a photo alongside several family members during the Miss Houston pageant. She wore coordinating shades of blue and turquoise in a Miss USA, R’bonney Gabriel walks onstage during The 71st Miss Universe Competition National Costume Show at New Orleans Morial Convention Center on January 11, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Getty Images One of Gabriel’s most striking looks from the 2023 Miss Universe competition included a At the Miss USA R’Bonney Gabriel takes part of the 71st Miss Universe competition at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana on Jan. 14, 2023 wearing gown by Filipino designer Rian Fernandez. AFP via Getty Images In one of her post-win interviews, Gabriel enthusiastically claimed her pride for her multicutural background, stating, “The...

Miss Universe R'Bonney Gabriel crowned Miss North Carolina, Morgan Romano, the new Miss USA this weekend after Gabriel faced rigging allegations at the stateside competition. Because Gabriel was crowned Miss Universe, first runner-up Romano took her place as Miss USA. Romano, a chemical engineer and graduate of the University of South Carolina, "I'm all yours, USA," she continued. Romano "You never know who you're going to meet and the connections you'll make because pageants have such a diverse group of people involved," she said. "You can gain so many things that you never expected from competing in Miss USA or even state competitions. Even if you never win, so many girls have gone on to use those connections for their careers." Miss USA R'Bonney Gabriel walk onstage during the Miss Universe competition on January 14, 2023, in New Orleans, Louisiana. Jason Kempin/Getty Images Insider's Anneta Konstantinides previously reported that after "A lot of the girls felt like it was the organization's plan from the beginning for R'Bonney to win, no matter who else was competing," Miss Missouri, Mikala McGhee, told Insider. After winning the Miss Universe title on January 14, Gabriel told Insider that the allegations were a "huge distraction." "The hardest part was I felt like I didn't have a voice at times as Miss USA. I wanted to stand up for myself and say, 'Hey, this is false. This is very frustrating,'" she said. "But I wanted to compose myself and carry this with grace becau...

NEW ORLEANS— R’Bonney Gabriel, a fashion designer, model and a graduate of the University of North Texas, who competition officials said is the first Filipino American to win Miss USA, 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. “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,” Gabriel continued. “We all have something special, and when we plant those seeds to other people in our life, we transform them and we use that as a vehicle for change.” According to Miss Universe, Gabriel is a former high school volleyball player and sewing instructor from Texas. A short bio posted on the organization’s website said she is also CEO of her own sustainable clothing line. Nearly 90 contestants from around the world took part in the competition, organizers said, involving “personal statements, in depth interviews and various categories including evening gown & swimwear.” 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.