Miss Texas USA, R'Bonney Gabriel, was proclaimed Miss Universe 2022 last night at Downtown New Orleans, Louisiana. Surely, we will see more of R'Bonney this year, so it will be interesting to know more about the new queen of the universe.
Here are 5 things that you may or may not have known about R'Bonney Gabriel:
1. She is the first Fil-Am Mis Universe
R'Bonney is the 9th Miss USA to win Miss Universe. She is also the first Filipino-American in the Pageants history to win Miss Texas USA and Miss USA.
2. Her Father is a Filipino
R'Bonney was born to an American mother from Beaumont, Texas, and a Filipino father from the Philippines.
“My dad moved to America from the Philippines on a college scholarship with about $20 in his pocket. He wanted to pave a new life for himself. He met my mom in Texas, who is a country woman from Beaumont,” she said in an interview with ABC News. “I’m a very proud Filipina Texan.”
3. R'Bonney is the Princess of the Family
R'Bonney grew up in Houston with three older brothers and the only girl of four siblings.
4. She has an independent fashion brand
In 2018, Gabriel completed her degree at the University of North Texas in Denton. She currently manages the Houston-based independent fashion brand R’Bonney Nola. She also works for the non-profit organization Magpies & Peacocks, where she holds sewing sessions.
5. She was 27 years old when she joined Miss Universe
At age 28, she is the oldest Miss Universe winner in the pageant's 71-year history. One of the interview questions in the course of the coronation night was about any changes she would make to the Miss Universe competition. R'Bonney answered that she would raise the age limit. "I do not believe age defines us," she said. In line with her answer, she went on to say that her favorite quote is, "If not now, then when?"
