DLNews Entertainment by JTFMax:

There is a new Miss Universe from the United States, and she is an aspiring fashion designer. The winner of the 71st Miss Universe was 28-year-old Miss USA R'Bonney Gabriel, a fashion designer from Houston who is a model, sewing instructor, and sustainability advocate. She has worked with survivors of human trafficking and gives sewing machines to women in need. In her bid to win the Miss USA title, she's also trying to inspire young girls to "own" themselves. At the Miss Universe pageant, she was crowned by Bollywood actress Harnaaz Sandhu of India as the 70^th Miss Universe.

R’Bonney Gabriel, Miss Universe USA 2022-Winner

Olivia Culpo and Jeannie Mai Jenkins hosted the Miss Universe pageant live from New Orleans at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on Saturday, January 14. During the competition, 80 women from around the world competed for the crown. Runner-ups included Miss Venezuela Amanda Dudamel and Miss Dominican Republic Andreina Martinez. After the eliminations narrowed down the number of contestants, R'Bonney was selected as the winner. A $250,000 prize was awarded to her.

The Top 3 finalists for Miss Universe? Andreina Martinez Founier; Miss Universe Dominican Republic; R’Bonney Gabriel, Miss Universe USA; Amanda Dudamel, Miss Universe Venezuela. 

Gabriel has spent the last few months preparing for the upcoming competition. Gabriel started sewing at age 15, and she is an eco-friendly fashion designer. She uses recycled fabrics and repurposed post-consumer materials for her clothing line. R'Bonney studied fashion design at the University of North Texas. Currently, she is the CEO of her sustainable clothing line, R'Bonney Nola. When she isn't busy with the pageant, she's working with Magpies and Peacocks, a nonprofit design house that recycles waste and repurposes textiles.

Her mission is to encourage young girls to "own" themselves, and she wants to use her platform to open the door for more diversity in society. She is also an advocate for climate change.

She is a former high school volleyball player. Her costume for the pageant was a "Woman on the Moon" suit, which represented Houston's space credentials as home to the NASA Johnson Space Center. She wore a blue and red bodysuit with silver stars and a huge silver moon crown.

R'Bonney has a Filipino father and an American mother. According to the Miss Universe website, she is a fashion designer, model, and high school volleyball player. In addition, she has a minor in fiber from the University of Texas. As a model, she's been featured in Vogue Philippines, and she's also a certified Pilates trainer.

Since she was a child, she has been a vegetarian. She loves animals and is an accomplished dancer. For her competition, she's wearing a crystal-studded black gown.

She is also a hula hooper and backpacker. In addition, she's a big reader and likes to backpack. Ultimately, she hopes to be a transformational leader.

Miss Congeniality:

It was a tie: Sofía Depassier, Miss Universe Chile 
Maxine Formosa Gruppetta, Miss Universe Malta 

Judges:

Ximena Navarrete, Big Freedia, Mara Martin, Wendy Fitzwilliam, Emily Austin, Olivia Quido, Myrka Dellanos, Sweta Patel, Kathleen Ventrella and Olivia Jordan