R’Bonney Gabriel was crowned the winner of the Miss USA 2022 pageantry competition, beating out four other finalists.

Following a series of dramatic eliminations, Gabriel was chosen from the last five remaining finalists. She beat out Angel Reyes (Illinois), Sir’Quora Caroll (Ohio), Natalie Piper (Nebraska) and Morgan Romano (North Carolina).

The event was held at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, Nevada, the same place where Miss USA 2019, Chelsie Kryst, was crowned. Kryst died by suicide earlier this year and the location was chosen specifically to honor her memory. 

Who is R’Bonney Gabriel?

R’Bonney Gabriel is an American pageant winner and the winner of the Miss USA 2022 competition. As a result, she will be representing the North American nation in the 71st Miss Universe pageant that is expected to take place early next year in New Orleans, Louisiana. 

Born on March 20 1994 in Houston, Texas, Gabriel spent much of her time in the southern state where she grew up. Her father is an immigrant from the Philippines who came to the United States at the age of 19, while her mother is from the Lone Star state.

She attended the University of North Texas, where she graduated from with a bachelor’s degree in fashion design and a minor in fibers. 

The 28-year-old is a fashion designer and first began pageantry with her entry into the Miss Friendswood competition which she won. Her success in that competition allowed her to take a shot at the Miss Texas 2022 title, which she also won, thus allowing her to compete in the Miss USA 2022 pageant competition. 

Gabriel was crowned Miss USA 2022 by the outgoing crown holder Miss USA 2021 Elle Smith, who is from Kentucky. The fashion designer’s win marks the first time that the state of Texas has won a pageant in 14 years.