History repeats itself as India crowns USA at 71st Miss Universe
The highly talked about coronation event brought us back to the iconic moment when India's first Miss Universe Sushmita Sen crowned her successor, the late Chelsi Smith of the USA as Miss Universe 1995 in Namibia.
Almost 28 years later, another winner from India, Harnaaz Sandhu, crowned R'Bonney Gabriel of the USA as Miss Universe 2022 on January 14 at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.
What's more interesting is that both biracial Americans Chelsi and R'Bonney competed in Miss Texas USA twice before winning the state title, then went on to become Miss USA, and eventually, Miss Universe.
They are both trailblazers for other women with a mixed-race background who wish to take the same path. While Chelsi was the first ever African-American to win Miss Texas USA, R'Bonney became the first Filipino-American to win Miss Texas USA, Miss USA, and Miss Universe.
Whatever connection there is, without question both phenomenal and empowered women were crowned on the world's most prestigious stage run by women for women.
Forever in our hearts, Chelsi was diagnosed with liver cancer in 2017 and died in 2018 at age 45. She was the seventh Miss Texas USA to win Miss USA and the sixth US representative to win Miss Universe.
Photos: Miss Universe
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