Who is Miss USA R’Bonney Gabriel, Miss Universe 2022 winner?

Miss USA 2022 R’Bonney Gabriel won the 71st edition of the world’s most prestigious beauty pageant, Miss Universe. The event took place at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. India’s Harnaaz Sandhu passed on the crown “Force for Good” to Miss USA R’Bonney Gabriel.

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Who is R’Bonney Gabriel?

R’Bonney Gabriel was born in Houston, Texas to a Filipino father, Remigio Bonzon “R. Bon” Gabriel, and an American mother, Dana Walker. She has three older brothers.

Her father was born in the Philippines and is originally from Manila. He immigrated to Washington state at the age of 25 and went on to earn his doctorate degree in psychology at the University of Southern California. 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 then started working as a designer creating eco-friendly clothing, and as a model.

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Gabriel’s first pageant was in 2020 when she took part in the Miss Kemah contest placing in the Top 5. She then took part in the Miss Texas USA 2021 competition losing out only to Victoria Hinojosa.

Gabriel entered the Miss Texas pageant once again in 2022, this time winning the competition. She then won the Miss USA award becoming the first Miss USA of Flipino descent to get the crown.