This American is the new Miss Universe

people news

01/15/2023 at 12:50 PM01/15/2023, 13:19

28-year-old R’Bonney Gabriel from the USA has been named the new Miss Universe. Organizers said she won a live show in New Orleans over 83 contestants late Saturday night (local time). Gabrielle took the winner’s crown from her predecessor Harnaz Sandhu (22) of India.

R’Bonney Gabriel gets the crown.Photo: Cornerstone

Venezuelan Amanda Dudamel (23) and Dominican Andreina Martinez (25) took second and third places in the 71st edition of the beauty pageant. 19-year-old Alia Gendi participated in Switzerland. However, she was not one of the 16 finalists.

Miss Switzerland Alia Guendy competes in an evening dress competition during the preliminary round of the 71st Miss Universe Pageant in New Orleans, Wednesday, January 11, 2023. (AP Photo/Gerald H...

Alia Gendy at the Miss Universe contest.Photo: Cornerstone

R’Bonney Gabriel was born in Houston, Texas, and has a bachelor’s degree in fashion design, according to the organizers. The former high school volleyball player now has her own company and works with eco-friendly and sustainable textiles. According to the organizers, she is the first Miss USA of Filipino descent. Her father is from the island country located in Southeast Asia.

In the Q&A session, Gabrielle said she wanted to work on, among other things, raising the age limit for the contest, which is currently 28. “As a woman, I don’t think age defines us,” she said. Her favorite slogan is “If not now, then when?”. (sda/dpa)