R'Bonney Nola Gabriel

                                                        R'Bonney Nola Gabriel

 R'Bonney Nola Gabriel was born( March 20, 1994), also known as R'Bonney Nola, is an American fashion designer and model who was crowned Miss Universe 2022, becoming the ninth entrant from the United States to win the title, as well as the oldest entrant to be crowned. Gabriel was previously crowned as Miss USA 2022.

Basic Detail and Education

R'Bonney Nola Gabrie was born in Hauston, Texas to a Filipino father, Remigio Bonzon "R. Bon" Gabriel, and an American mother, Dana Walker, who married in the Philippines She grew up in Missouri City, with three older brothers. Her father was born in the Philippines and is from Manila, later immigrating to Washington state at the age of 25, later receiving a degree in psychology at the University of Houston, opening a car repair shop^. Her mother is from Beaumont,Texas Gabriel graduated from the University of North Texas with a bachelor's degree in fashion design with a minor in fibers^.She works as a designer creating eco-friendly clothing, and as a model^. She has worked as a sewing instructor at a non-profit.

Demonstration

Her first foray into pageantry was when she joined Miss Kemah USA 2020, where she placed among the Top 5 finalists.She competed at Miss Texas USA 2021 as Miss Harris County and placed as first runner-up to Victoria Hinojosa of McAllen.

Miss USA 2022

Further information: Miss USA 2022

She won Miss Texas USA 2022 and went on to represent Texas at Miss USA 2022 wherein she was subsequently crowned as Miss USA 2022 becoming the first Miss USA of Filipino descent.With her crowning, she became the second titleholder to come from Texas, after the late Chelsi Smith, to win the Miss Universe title. Smith won Miss Universe in 1995.

Controversy Facts

Following her crowning, allegations emerged that the competition had been rigged for Gabriel to win. It was claimed that Gabriel travelled to Nizuc Resort and Spa in Cancún weeks after Gabriel was crowned Miss Texas USA and was able to shoot promotional material, which the resort's Instagram account posted less than 24 hours after the final competition. Nizuc has been become one of the pageant's sponsors since national director and Miss USA 2008 Crystle Stewart took over at the end of 2020 after Miss USA and Miss Teen USA were separated from the Miss Universe Organization Both Gabriel and Miss Colorado USA Alexis Glover, were not included in the official Cancún retreat along with the rest of the contestants as Texas and Colorado had not yet crowned at the time of the retreat In an interview with E! News, Gabriel refuted claims that the pageant was rigged, stating "I would never enter any pageant or any competition that I know I would win".

Miss Universe 2022

 

New Orleans Morial Convention Center the venue of Miss Universe 2022

As Miss USA 2022, she represented the United States at the Miss Universe 2022 pageant. She was crowned Miss Universe 2022 by the outgoing titleholder Harnaaz Sandhu of India, making her the 9th American to win the pageant. Her victory also made her the first representative from the United States to win Miss Universe since Olivia Culpo at Miss Universe 2012.

In her capacity as Miss Universe, Gabriel has traveled to various cities within her home country of the United States.