Miss Universe 2022 R'Bonney Gabriel Makes History With Groundbreaking Win
The Road to Miss Universe 2022
The 72nd Miss Universe competition was certainly one for the record books. After being postponed in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, fans were eager to see a new Miss Universe crowned in 2022. The event, held on January 14 in New Orleans, Louisiana, brought together over 80 contestants from around the world to compete for the coveted title.
The Competition Heats Up
From the moment the contestants arrived in New Orleans, it was clear this would be an exciting competition. They spent their first few weeks attending photoshoots, rehearsals, and preliminary competitions leading up to the final night. During this time, favorites began emerging from the pack.
Many praised the delegates from Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and Curaçao for their poise and communication skills. However, others captivated viewers with their heartwarming backstories and advocacy platforms. Miss USA, R'Bonney Gabriel, shared her experience as a sewing enthusiast and founder of her own fashion brand. Miss Curacao, Gabriela Dos Santos, spoke openly about being a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community.
Preliminary Competitions
The real competition began with the preliminaries on January 11th. Here the delegates competed in swimsuit and evening gown to gain a spot as a semi-finalist. The stakes were high as only 16 would move on to the final night of competition.
Judges faced tough decisions with so many outstanding contestants. Ultimately, fan favorites like Venezuela's Amanda Dudamel and the Dominican Republic's Andreina Martinez made the cut. Other standouts included Australia, Puerto Rico, India, and Curaçao.
The Final Night
At last, final night arrived on January 14th. The atmosphere was electric as the top 16 semi-finalists brought their A-game, hoping to succeed India's Harnaaz Sandhu as the new Miss Universe.
They competed in swimsuit and evening gown once again before the field was narrowed down to the top 5. Venezuela, Curacao, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, and the USA moved on to the high-stakes question and answer round.
The Q&A tested their grace under pressure. When asked what she would tell young women dealing with bullying, Miss USA shared a touching story of overcoming self-doubt and learning to embrace her differences. This seemed to resonate with the judges and solidified her status as a frontrunner.
Miss Universe 2022 is Crowned
After a suspenseful deliberation, the crowning moment had arrived. Fourth runner-up went to the Dominican Republic, followed by Venezuela as third runner-up. Curacao's Gabriela Dos Santos was named second runner-up.
Miss Puerto Rico, Ashley Carino, was crowned first runner-up. Finally, Miss USA R'Bonney Gabriel received the coveted Miss Universe crown and sash from the previous winner, cementing her place in pageant history.
R'Bonney's Road to the Crown
As Miss Universe 2022, R'Bonney Gabriel is sure to be an inspiring role model all year long. But her road to the crown was not always easy. The 28-year-old grew up in Texas where she was bullied for her height and multiracial background.
However, she overcame this by embracing sewing and fashion design. She began creating her own eco-friendly clothing line and eventually founded her own sustainable fashion brand, R'Bonney Nola. Her story of resilience and determination clearly resonated with the Miss Universe judges.
Her Platform
As Miss Universe, Gabriel plans to use her platform to become an advocate for sustainable fashion. This includes spreading awareness about fast fashion's detrimental impacts on the environment. She hopes to collaborate with charities that upcycle used clothing and encourage more brands to move towards eco-conscious practices.
Representation and Diversity
Beyond sustainability, Gabriel's win holds significance as a monumental step forward for representation and diversity. She is the first Filipino-American to win Miss USA and Miss Universe. As someone of multiethnic heritage, she hopes her success reminds young girls of all backgrounds that they can achieve their dreams.
Gabriel has already proven she is ready and willing to take on the responsibilities of Miss Universe. Fans are eager to see the impact she will make during her groundbreaking reign in 2023.
The Legacy of Miss Universe 2022
While Gabriel's title year has just begun, her legacy as Miss Universe 2022 is sure to be momentous. Not only did she help bring Miss Universe back after a two-year hiatus, but her crowning marks a cultural shift as well.
Gabriel is now a role model to young girls of all ethnicities. Her win reminds us that beauty standards are evolving to be more inclusive. This is evident by the diverse top 5 finalists, including Gabriel herself as the first Filipino-American Miss Universe.
A New Standard of Beauty
Gabriel's multiracial features, curly hair, and height of 5'10" contradicts outdated beauty standards of the past. She is helping redefine what it means to be beautiful in 2023 and beyond. Her success shows future delegates that there is no single look to strive for anymore when competing in pageants like Miss Universe.
Progress for Representation
Not only is Gabriel the first Filipino-American Miss Universe, but the competition also saw its first delegate from the Marshall Islands. The top 16 featured women of various ethnicities, backgrounds, and sexual orientations. This diversity is a step towards more equal representation on the Miss Universe stage.
Many credit Gabriel and her fellow contestants for boldly advocating for inclusion. Their ability to embrace uniqueness and differences is sure to inspire greater acceptance worldwide.
Miss Universe 2022 R'Bonney Gabriel's groundbreaking win ushered in an exciting new era for the pageant. Her memorable competition and upcoming title year will help redefine beauty standards and push for greater representation. There is no doubt Gabriel's reign will create a meaningful legacy that impacts the competition for years to come.
FAQs
Who is Miss Universe 2022?
Miss Universe 2022 is R'Bonney Gabriel from the United States. She was crowned on January 14, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
What makes R'Bonney Gabriel's win historic?
R'Bonney Gabriel is the first Filipino-American and first woman of mixed heritage to be crowned Miss Universe. Her win represents a cultural shift towards more diversity and inclusion in beauty pageants.
What will R'Bonney Gabriel advocate for during her reign?
As Miss Universe 2022, R'Bonney Gabriel plans to use her platform to advocate for sustainable fashion and spread awareness about the impacts of fast fashion on the environment.
How did R'Bonney Gabriel overcome past challenges?
R'Bonney Gabriel was bullied as a child for her multiracial heritage and tall height. She overcame this by starting her own sustainable fashion line, R'Bonney Nola.
What did the Miss Universe 2022 competition showcase?
The Miss Universe 2022 competition featured unprecedented diversity among the contestants. The top 16 included women of various ethnicities, backgrounds, and orientations, reflecting evolving beauty standards.
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