It is out of this world!
R’Bonney Gabriel was crowned Miss Universe on her home turf Saturday night — beating out 83 other beauties for the top honor.
The 28-year-old fashion designer and model – who became the first Filipina American to win Miss USA last year – bested runner-up Amanda Dudamel of Venezuela in the live pageant in New Orleans.
Andreína Martínez Founier from the Dominican Republic took third place.
Gabrielle is the ninth Miss USA to reign as Miss Universe.
The Texas native, who has her own sustainable clothing line, R’Bonney Nola, said she would use her title to become a “transformational leader.”
“As a very passionate designer – I’ve been sewing for 13 years – I use fashion as a force for good,” said Gabriel during the top three questions round.
“In my industry, I reduce pollution through recycled materials when I make my clothes. I teach sewing classes to women survivors of human trafficking and domestic violence.
“And I say that because it’s so important to invest in others, invest in our community, and use your unique talent to make a difference. We all have something special, and when we plant those seeds in other people in our lives, we transform them and use that as a vehicle for change.”
Last year’s Miss Universe Harnaaz Sandhu of India placed the glittering crown on Gabriel’s head before the newly crowned Miss Universe took her first walk inside the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans.
The Miss Universe Organization chose the venue in honor of the late Cheslie Kryst, who was crowned Miss USA at the same venue in 2019.
The pageant paid a special tribute to Kryst, who jumped to her death in New York last January, just weeks after appearing as a TV correspondent for the 70th Miss Universe pageant.
The organization played a short commemorative video of the former model smiling and competing, and even included an inspirational quote Kryst shared during her time on the Miss USA stage.
“No matter where you start, the possibilities for your future are only limited by the depths of your own imagination,” Kryst said.
Kryst’s mom took the stage to announce that the National Alliance on Mental Illness has established the Cheslie Kryst Memorial Fund for Mental Health in her honor.
“Cheslie is dealing with high-functioning depression,” her mom, April Simpkins, said on the pageant stage. “The Chelsea you saw didn’t always match the way she felt inside. Just because someone tells you they’re fine, doesn’t mean they are.”
