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Newly crowned Miss Universe 2022 R'Bonney Gabriel has visited the iconic Empire State Building, a 102-story Art Deco skyscraper in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. The Filipino-American beauty stunned in crystal pants by Jovani fashion and a fringe top by fashion editor and celebrity stylist Rene Garza who used upcycled plastic mesh flower protector covers thrown away by floral shops to create the beautiful piece. Followed by the members of the press, she was joined by Miss Universe Organization owner Anne Jakrajutatip together with CEO and Founder of O Skin Med Spa, Olivia Quido-Co, during the traditional visit to the building on Tuesday, January 17. It has been an annual tradition for every Miss Universe winner to visit the architectural marvel which is one of the most iconic skyscrapers in the world. Here's the new Miss Universe on top of the world, the universe rather: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss Universe (@missuniverse) Photo: Em

Miss Wailea Savannah Gankiewicz was crowned Miss Hawaii USA 2023 in a state competition held on Sunday, January 15 at the Hawaii Convention Center in Honolulu. The 27-year-old model of Filipino, Vietnamese and Polish descent from Maui was also awarded Miss Photogenic. She will now represent Hawaii at the Miss USA 2023 pageant in Reno, Nevada later this year. Kawena Kan-Hai, Breea Yamat, Mikayla Baptista, and Ronelle Valera were announced as the first, second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. Last year's titleholder who competed in Miss USA 2022 last October, Kiana Yamat, passed the crown to her successor at the end of the event. Another winner proclaimed at the same venue was Miss Hawaii Teen USA 2023 Noelani DeNisi. She was crowned by her predecessor Malulani Paiste and will be heading to the Miss Teen USA 2023 pageant. Elaina Kristine Head, Kyani Bateman, Lehani Coloma, and Isabella Emma Alohalani rounded out the Top 5 finalists and were named runners-up for the teen d

Miss Forget-Me-Not USA Jordan Naylor was crowned Miss Alaska USA 2023 on Saturday, January 14 at the Bartlett High School Auditorium in Anchorage. The 25-year-old beauty who studied marketing at Boise State University bested 13 other competitors to win the state title. She will now prepare to represent Alaska at the Miss USA 2023 pageant in Reno, Nevada later this year. Niara Iman, Honour Miller-Austin, Wendy Martin, and Robyn Kassgerji were named the first, second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. "I am so excited to represent my home over the next year and educate Alaskans on living healthy, balanced lifestyles through my platform Back 2 Basics. I could not do this without the endless support from my family, friends, and coaches. Thank you all," she wrote in a statement on social media. Two other titleholders crowned during the event were Miss Alaska Teen USA 2023 Star Hunter (will go to Miss Teen USA 2023) and the first Miss Alaska USA's Cover Miss Nevaeh Ja

Following her well-deserved victory at the 71st Miss Universe pageant, the first Miss USA to win the crown in 10 years R'Bonney Gabriel immediately flew to New York to kick off her reign. Her first official week as the new Miss Universe started with a media tour and her first stop in "The Big Apple" on Monday, January 16 was an interview with Good Morning America on ABC. Wearing her own designed outfit, her official Miss Universe sash, and the Mouawad "Force for Good" crown, the 28-year-old fashion designer talked about her historic win in New Orleans. On being the first Filipino-American to become Miss Universe, she said: "Oh my gosh, well, Filipinos are so happy. They are just over the moon about it. It's a huge win for the community and just representation — it's an honor." Watch her full interview here: Photo: R'Bonney Gabriel / Instagram RELATED POSTS: The 71st Miss Universe is Miss USA R'Bonney Gabriel LIVE UPDATES: 71st Miss Uni

Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray was seen bursting into tears during an emotional tribute dedicated to former Miss USA Cheslie Kryst at the 71st Miss Universe pageant on January 14 in New Orleans. Catriona shared an apartment with Cheslie in New York City during their reigns. Cheslie tragically took her own life in January 2020 by jumping to her death from the Manhattan apartment building where she lived. During the tribute, a video montage was played showing a vibrant and happy Cheslie, while she was silently dealing with high-functioning depression. April Simpkins, Cheslie's mother, went onstage to give a moving message: "Cheslie loved this Miss Universe community. She often spoke about the support she received from all of you and the Miss Universe Organization, and for that, I'm forever grateful." She continued her speech by talking about Cheslie's silent battles: "The Cheslie you saw didn’t always match the way she felt inside. Just because someone tells

Another history repeats itself moment just happened during the culmination of the 71st Miss Universe pageant in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. 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

Texas-born R'Bonney Gabriel, 28, was crowned the 71st Miss Universe (Miss Universe 2022) on Saturday, January 14 at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Apart from her winning looks and undeniable stage presence, R'Bonney also gave impressive answers during the question-and-answer rounds. During the Top 5 Q&A, she was asked by Vyral Media PR co-founder Mara Martin: "Miss Universe recently made an inclusive change, allowing mothers and married women to compete this year. What's another change you'd like to see, and why?" She replied: "For me, I would like to see an age increase because I am 28 years old and that is the oldest age to compete, and I think it's a beautiful thing. My favorite quote is "if not now, then when" because as a woman, I believe age does not define us. It's not tomorrow, it's not yesterday, but it's now. The time is now that you can go after what you want." R'Bonney advanced to the

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 a

It's confirmed, the 72nd Miss Universe edition (Miss Universe 2023) will be held later this year in the Land of Volcanoes, El Salvador. The announcement was made by the country's President Nayib Bukele during the 71st Miss Universe final competition in New Orleans. "El Salvador is a country that is full of beauty. We have the best surfing beaches in the world, magnificent volcanoes, exquisite coffee and we have now become the safest country in Latin America," the President stated in a recorded video. "I would like to thank the Miss Universe Organization for joining us in this historic process. El Salvador is changing and we want you to come and see it for yourselves." El Salvador, officially the Republic of El Salvador, is a country in Central America bordered on the northeast by Honduras, on the northwest by Guatemala, and on the south by the Pacific Ocean. Its capital and largest city is San Salvador. It will be the country's second time hosting the pr

Miss Universe 2022, the 71st edition of the Miss Universe competition will be taking place tonight at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. India's Harnaaz Sandhu will pass the new Mouawad crown "Force for Good" to one of the 84 contestants at the end of the highly anticipated event. Tonight's pageant will be the first-ever edition under the ownership of Thailand-based JKN Global Group which is headed by its founder and CEO Anne Jakrajutatip. Hosted by Jeannie Mai and Olivia Culpo together with Catriona Gray and Zuri Hall as backstage commentators, the spectacular show will also feature musical performances from Big Freedia, Big Sam's Funky Nation, Amanda Shaw, Tank and the Bangas, and Yolanda Adams. A selection committee consisting of Ximena Navarrete, Big Freedia, Mara Martin, Wendy Fitzwilliam, Emily Austin, Olivia Quido, Myrka Dellanos, and Sweta Patel will be responsible for choosing the new Miss Universe. Who will