The 71st Miss Universe is Miss USA R'Bonney Gabriel


Miss USA R'Bonney Gabriel beat 83 other contestants to win Miss Universe 2022, the 71st Miss Universe pageant on Saturday, January 14 at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.

The 28-year-old fashion designer, model, and sewing instructor received the new Mouawad crown "Force for Good" from her predecessor Miss Universe 2021 Harnaaz Sandhu of India.

Amanda Dudamel of Venezuela and Andreína Martínez were named the first and second runners-up, respectively, while Gabriëla Dos Santos of Curacao and Ashley Cariño of Puerto Rico rounded out the Top 5 finalists.

The rest of the Top 16 were beauties from Australia, Monique Rile, Canada, Amelia Tu, Colombia, María Fernanda Aristizábal, Haiti, Mideline Phelizor, India, Divita Rai, Laos, Payengxa Lor, Peru, Alessia Rovegno, Portugal, Telma Madeira, South Africa, Ndavi Nokeri, Spain, Alicia Faubel, and Trinidad & Tobago, Tya Jané Ramey.

Chile's Sofia Depassier and Malta's Maxine Formosa Gruppetta were both awarded Miss Congeniality while Thailand's Anna Sueangam-iam received the ImpactWayv (Social Impact) Award.

Born in Texas to a Filipino father and an American mother, the new Miss Universe holds a bachelor's degree in fashion design with a minor in fiber from the University of Texas. The sustainability advocate is the lead sewing instructor at Magpies & Peacocks, a Houston-based non-profit design house dedicated to using “Fashion As A Force For Good” through sustainability and community impact.

Last October, R'Bonney became the first Filipino-American to win Miss USA, and now Miss Universe. She is also the ninth US representative to win the international beauty title.

Photos: Benjamin Askinas / Miss Universe Organization

RELATED POSTS:




Popular posts from this blog

La Union's Bea Millan-Windorski is the new Miss Universe Philippines

Image
Bea Millan-Windorski of La Union was crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2026 during the final of the national pageant on Saturday, May 2 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. The 24-year-old Filipino-American beauty succeeded Maria Ahtisa Manalo from Quezon Province. She will represent the Philippines at the Miss Universe 2026 pageant, which is set to take place in Puerto Rico later this year. Nicole Borromeo of Cebu Province, Apriel Smith of Cebu City, Allyson Hetland of Pampanga, Jenrose Javier of Sultan Kudarat, Bella Ysmael of Taguig, and Marian Arellano of Tarlac made the Top 7. Completing the Top 15 were from Baguio, Roxie Baeyens, Camiguin, Erica Cadayday, Iloilo City, Zestah Espinosa, Negros Occidental, Alex Colmenares, Manila, Justine Felizarta, Muntinlupa, Adela-Mae Marshall, Quezon Province, Ella Evangelista, and Tacloban, Jacqueline Gulrajani. The new Miss Universe Philippines is an alumna of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is no stranger to pageantry, having ...
Read more

Former Miss Earth USA Bea Millan-Windorski joins Miss Universe Philippines 2026

Image
Filipino-American Bea Millan-Windorski has recently been appointed as the official representative for the province of La Union at Miss Universe Philippines 2026. At just 24 years old, she is well-acquainted with the world of pageantry, having participated in Miss Earth USA 2024 in Orlando, Florida, where she clinched the title while representing Wisconsin. This achievement made her the first Filipino-American to secure the national title. As Miss Earth USA, she went on to compete in Miss Earth 2024 in the Philippines, where she impressively placed in the Top 4 out of 76 contestants, earning the title of Miss Earth Water. Bea's grandparents on her mother's side were Filipino immigrants from La Union, Philippines. Following her Miss Earth journey, she relocated to the country. In a recent social media post, she paid tribute to Filipino migrants, stating: "As someone whose family history is shaped by migration, I grew up honoring the courage, homesickness, and hard work of Fi...
Read more

Miss Grand Thailand 2026 is Patthama Jitsawat of Chonburi

Image
Patthama Jitsawat, representing the Thai province of Chonburi, was crowned Miss Grand Thailand 2026 on Saturday, March 28 at MGI Hall in Bangkok. The 32-year-old beauty edged out 76 other contestants to win the national competition. She succeeds last year's winner Sarunrat Puagpipat of Phuket. Panasaya Angelica Damaagd of Buriram was names first runner-up while Ilin Nabsuk of Phuket, Natthakitta Kerdkanchiroj of Saraburi, and Naruemol Chaloemroek of Sukhothai were the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. This year's competition marked the 13th edition of the annual Miss Grand Thailand pageant. Reigning Miss Grand International Emma Mary Tiglao from the Philippines was present at the glittering event. The new Miss Grand Thailand will represent the "Land of Smiles" at the Miss Grand International 2026 pageant in India this October. View this post on Instagram A post shared by 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝘀 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 (@missgrandthailand) P...
Read more

Singer-songwriter Sigga Ózk crowned Miss Iceland 2026

Image
Sigríður Ósk Hrafnkelsdóttir, also known as Sigga Ózk, was crowned Ungfrú Ísland 2026 (Miss Iceland 2026) on Wednesday, April 22 at at Gamla Bíó in Reykjavík. The singer-songwriter from Garðabær will now prepare to represent Iceland at the Miss Universe 2026 pageant to be held in Puerto Rico this November. Aníta Mist Davíðsdóttir was named first runner-up while Elínborg Hrannarsdóttir, Nadía Líf Pálsdóttir, Soffía Ellín Stella Gísladóttir were the second, third and fourth runners-up, respectively. "Wow I'm speechless. I am so endlessly grateful for all the girls in the group, the girls on the team, the judges and everyone who cheered me on," the new Miss Iceland shared online. Sigga holds a bachelor's degree in education and speaks Swedish fluently. She participated in Iceland's national contest, Söngvakeppnin, in both 2023 and 2024, making it to the finals each time. Road to the 75th Miss Universe: View this post on Instagram A post shared b...
Read more

Miss Universe Paraguay 2026 is Gretha Matiauda

Image
Former Miss Earth Paraguay Gretha Matiauda has recently been appointed as her country's official representative in the Miss Universe 2026 pageant. The 24-year-old beauty from Asunción is an economist, international model and entrepreneur. She succeeds last year's titleholder Yanina Gómez who made the Top 30 at Miss Universe 2025. No stranger to pageantry, Gretha has previously placed fourth runner-up at Miss United Continents 2022 in Ecuador and competed in Miss Earth 2023 in Vietnam. In a recent post on social media, she wrote, "Today I begin writing a new story, a new chapter where dreams cease to be promises, and become responsibilities." "Being Miss Universe Paraguay is not just about wearing a crown; it's about carrying the voice of a country, the soul of its people, and the strength of every woman who never stopped believing," she added. The 75th Miss Universe pageant will be held in San Juan, Puerto Rico later this year. Meet the new Miss Universe...
Read more

Miss Universe Peru 2026 is Luren Márquez

Image
Luren Márquez was crowned Miss Peru 2026 (Miss Universe Peru) in a special ceremony held on Wednesday, April 15 at the Teatro Municipal del Callao. The 27-year-old television presenter and model received the crown from her predecessor Karla Bacigalupo with the presence of the reigning Miss Universe Fátima Bosch from Mexico. Born in Ica, the new Miss Universe Peru is a business administration graduate from the University of Lima. She also obtained her degree in communication from the Florida Internationl University in the USA. No stranger to pageantry, Luren placed first runner-up at the Miss Peru 2024 pageant. She will now prepare to represent her country at Miss Universe 2026 to be held in Puerto Rico later this year. Road to the 75th Miss Universe: View this post on Instagram A post shared by CARLOS RODRIGUEZ (@carlosrodriguez.bo) Photos: 321VAESTUDIO, Carlos Rodriguez / Instagram
Read more

Femina Miss India World 2026: Sadhvi Sail from Goa wins the crown

Image
Sadhvi Sail bested 29 other contestants to win the Femina Miss India 2026 pageant last Saturday, April 18 at the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology in Bhubaneswar. The 24-year-old beauty from Goa state was crowned by her predecesor Nikita Porwal and will represent India at the 74th Miss World competition next year. Rajnandini Pawar of Maharashtra and Sree Advaita of Union Territory were named the first and second runners-up, respectively. Beauties from Gujarat, Parinaaz Cooper, Himachal Pradesh, Shreya Thakur, Madhya Pradesh, Dhanushree Chauhan, Punjab, Yashika Sharma and Rajasthan, Tarushee Rai were the rest of the Top 8. Completing the Top 15 were from  Andhra Pradesh, Chilakalapudi Indu Phalguni, Assam, Bagmita Saikia, Chhattisgarh, Anushka Sone, Karnataka, Khushi Ramesh Kalakeri, Odisha, Ayushi Panda, Sikkim, Deekila Sherpa, and Telangana, Ramya Kailasa. The new Femina Miss India World is graduate of the University of British Columbia in Canada with the degree in econom...
Read more

Miss Nederland 2023: Miss Universe Netherlands 2023 is Rikkie Valerie Kollé

Image
Rikkie Valerie Kollé was crowned Miss Nederland 2023 (Miss Universe Netherlands 2023) on Saturday, July 8 at the AFAS Theater in Leusden. The 22-year-old Dutch-Moluccan model and actress living in Breda succeeds Ona Moody and will now prepare to represent the Netherlands at the 72nd Miss Universe (Miss Universe 2023) in El Salvador. Nathalie Mogbelzada, 26, from Amsterdam, was named first runner-up while Habiba Mostafa and Lou Dirchs were awarded Miss Congeniality and Miss Social Media, respectively. Reigning Miss Universe R'Bonney Gabriel of the USA graced the glittering event as a special guest. The new Miss Universe Netherlands made history as she became the first-ever transgender woman to win the national title. She will be the second transgender representative at the Miss Universe pageant next to Spain's Angela Ponce who participated in 2018. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss Nederland Organisatie (@missnederland) Photos: William Rutten...
Read more

Hanoi's Phan Phuong Oanh is the new Miss World Vietnam

Image
Phan Phuong Oanh was proclaimed the winner of the Miss World Vietnam 2025 pageant held on Sunday, March 29 in Ho Chi Minh City. The 23-year-old international business graduate from Hanoi bested 46 other contestants to clinch the coveted national title. Le Phuong Khanh Nhu and Truong Tam Nhu were named the first and second runners-up, respectively. Reigning Miss World Opal Suchata Chuangsri of Thailand and Miss World CEO Morley CBE were special guests at the event. During the show, Vietnam was officially announced as the host country for the 73rd Miss World (Miss World 2026) to be held this summer. The new Miss World Vietnam is expected to represent her country at the 74th Miss World competition. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss World Vietnam (@missworldvn) Photos: Kieng Can, Miss World Vietnam / Instagram
Read more

Miss California USA 2024 is Samantha Ramos

Image
Miss Santa Monica, Samantha Ramos was crowned Miss California USA 2024 on Sunday, June 23 at the Hyatt Regency Orange County in Garden Grove. The Mexican-American mentor, model, and restaurant franchisee from Fullerton will now prepare to represent California at the Miss USA 2024 pageant in Hollywood, California this August. "I am Miss California USA 2024. Grinning ear to ear, I accomplished a goal I set after almost 10 years ago. From being a non-finalist teen to 1st runner up at Miss CA Teen USA, to 2nd runner up at Miss CA to finally getting the crown," Samantha shared online. "Pageantry has taught me that resilience and tenacity are the key to achieving extraordinary things in life. Thank you to every one of you that has been apart of this journey," she added. The new Miss California USA succeeds Tianna Clark, last year's winner and Miss USA 2023 Top 20 semifinalist. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss California USA (@missc...
Read more