Photo: Jason Kempin/GettyA newMiss Universehas been crowned!Miss USAR’Bonney Gabriel was officially named Miss Universe 2022 on Saturday evening after a grueling competition at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center in Louisiana.Gabriel, 28, beat out runner-up Miss Venezuela Amanda Dudamel and second runner-up Miss Dominican Republic Andreína Martínez for the coveted prize. Miss IndiaHarnaaz Sandhupresented Gabriel with her crown as she passed on the title of Miss Universe to her successor.The fashion designer, model and sewing instructor from Texas is the first Miss USA to win Miss Universe in 10 years. The last Miss USA to take home the crown wasOlivia Culpoin 2012.Competition officials said that Gabriel was previously thefirst Filipino American to win the Miss USApageant.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Jason Kempin/GettyOut of 84 delegates from across the world, only 20 had the opportunity to compete for the crown on Saturday. Culpo, 30, andJeannie Mai Jenkinshosted and led the women through three rounds of competition: swimsuit, evening gown and interview.During the final question round, Gabriel was asked how she would show that Miss Universe is “an empowering and progressive organization” if she were to win.“I would use it to be a transformational leader,” she responded, before discussing her work using recycled materials in her fashion design, and how she teaches sewing to human trafficking and domestic violence survivors.“It is so important to invest in others, invest in our community and use your unique talent to make a difference,” Gabriel continued. “We all have something special, and when we plant those seeds to other people in our life, we transform them and we use that as a vehicle for change.“Want to get the biggest stories fromPEOPLEevery weekday?Subscribe to our new podcast, PEOPLE Every Day, to get the essential celebrity, entertainment and human interest news stories Monday through Friday.Jason Kempin/GettyGabriel also said during the competition that she hopes Miss Universe would allow women past the age of 28 to compete in the pageant.“I am 28 years old, and that is the oldest age to compete,” she said at one point during the competition. “And I think that’s a beautiful thing.““My favorite quote is, ‘If not now, then when?’ " Gabriel continued. “Because as a woman, I believe age does not define us.“She added: “It’s not tomorrow. It’s not yesterday. But it’s now. The time is now that you can go after what you want.“TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via GettyThis is the first Miss Universe pageant held under the organization’s new ownership. JKN Global Grouppurchased Miss Universefor $20 million in October 2022, making its CEO Anne Jakapong Jakrajutatip the first woman to own the organization in its 71-year history.The Thai businesswoman, who is also a transgender rights advocate, laid out her plans for the organization in a press release announcing the deal, according to a previousVarietyreport.“We seek not only to continue its legacy of providing a platform to passionate individuals from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and traditions, but also to evolve the brand for the next generation,” Jakrajutatip said at the time.This is also the first time thatNew Orleans has hostedthe Miss Universe pageant in its seven-decade history, according to NBC affiliate WDSU. New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell said the city is “celebrating the inclusion, the culture, and the empowerment of women.“Kelly Schultz, of New Orleans and Company, said hosting the event in New Orleans “can be such a great voice” for the city, per WDSU. “We really are so grateful for them for lending us their voice,” she added.
Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty
A newMiss Universehas been crowned!Miss USAR’Bonney Gabriel was officially named Miss Universe 2022 on Saturday evening after a grueling competition at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center in Louisiana.Gabriel, 28, beat out runner-up Miss Venezuela Amanda Dudamel and second runner-up Miss Dominican Republic Andreína Martínez for the coveted prize. Miss IndiaHarnaaz Sandhupresented Gabriel with her crown as she passed on the title of Miss Universe to her successor.The fashion designer, model and sewing instructor from Texas is the first Miss USA to win Miss Universe in 10 years. The last Miss USA to take home the crown wasOlivia Culpoin 2012.Competition officials said that Gabriel was previously thefirst Filipino American to win the Miss USApageant.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Jason Kempin/GettyOut of 84 delegates from across the world, only 20 had the opportunity to compete for the crown on Saturday. Culpo, 30, andJeannie Mai Jenkinshosted and led the women through three rounds of competition: swimsuit, evening gown and interview.During the final question round, Gabriel was asked how she would show that Miss Universe is “an empowering and progressive organization” if she were to win.“I would use it to be a transformational leader,” she responded, before discussing her work using recycled materials in her fashion design, and how she teaches sewing to human trafficking and domestic violence survivors.“It is so important to invest in others, invest in our community and use your unique talent to make a difference,” Gabriel continued. “We all have something special, and when we plant those seeds to other people in our life, we transform them and we use that as a vehicle for change.“Want to get the biggest stories fromPEOPLEevery weekday?Subscribe to our new podcast, PEOPLE Every Day, to get the essential celebrity, entertainment and human interest news stories Monday through Friday.Jason Kempin/GettyGabriel also said during the competition that she hopes Miss Universe would allow women past the age of 28 to compete in the pageant.“I am 28 years old, and that is the oldest age to compete,” she said at one point during the competition. “And I think that’s a beautiful thing.““My favorite quote is, ‘If not now, then when?’ " Gabriel continued. “Because as a woman, I believe age does not define us.“She added: “It’s not tomorrow. It’s not yesterday. But it’s now. The time is now that you can go after what you want.“TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via GettyThis is the first Miss Universe pageant held under the organization’s new ownership. JKN Global Grouppurchased Miss Universefor $20 million in October 2022, making its CEO Anne Jakapong Jakrajutatip the first woman to own the organization in its 71-year history.The Thai businesswoman, who is also a transgender rights advocate, laid out her plans for the organization in a press release announcing the deal, according to a previousVarietyreport.“We seek not only to continue its legacy of providing a platform to passionate individuals from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and traditions, but also to evolve the brand for the next generation,” Jakrajutatip said at the time.This is also the first time thatNew Orleans has hostedthe Miss Universe pageant in its seven-decade history, according to NBC affiliate WDSU. New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell said the city is “celebrating the inclusion, the culture, and the empowerment of women.“Kelly Schultz, of New Orleans and Company, said hosting the event in New Orleans “can be such a great voice” for the city, per WDSU. “We really are so grateful for them for lending us their voice,” she added.
A newMiss Universehas been crowned!
Miss USAR’Bonney Gabriel was officially named Miss Universe 2022 on Saturday evening after a grueling competition at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center in Louisiana.
Gabriel, 28, beat out runner-up Miss Venezuela Amanda Dudamel and second runner-up Miss Dominican Republic Andreína Martínez for the coveted prize. Miss IndiaHarnaaz Sandhupresented Gabriel with her crown as she passed on the title of Miss Universe to her successor.
The fashion designer, model and sewing instructor from Texas is the first Miss USA to win Miss Universe in 10 years. The last Miss USA to take home the crown wasOlivia Culpoin 2012.
Competition officials said that Gabriel was previously thefirst Filipino American to win the Miss USApageant.
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Jason Kempin/Getty
Out of 84 delegates from across the world, only 20 had the opportunity to compete for the crown on Saturday. Culpo, 30, andJeannie Mai Jenkinshosted and led the women through three rounds of competition: swimsuit, evening gown and interview.
During the final question round, Gabriel was asked how she would show that Miss Universe is “an empowering and progressive organization” if she were to win.
“I would use it to be a transformational leader,” she responded, before discussing her work using recycled materials in her fashion design, and how she teaches sewing to human trafficking and domestic violence survivors.
“It is so important to invest in others, invest in our community and use your unique talent to make a difference,” Gabriel continued. “We all have something special, and when we plant those seeds to other people in our life, we transform them and we use that as a vehicle for change.”
Want to get the biggest stories fromPEOPLEevery weekday?Subscribe to our new podcast, PEOPLE Every Day, to get the essential celebrity, entertainment and human interest news stories Monday through Friday.
Gabriel also said during the competition that she hopes Miss Universe would allow women past the age of 28 to compete in the pageant.
“I am 28 years old, and that is the oldest age to compete,” she said at one point during the competition. “And I think that’s a beautiful thing.”
“My favorite quote is, ‘If not now, then when?’ " Gabriel continued. “Because as a woman, I believe age does not define us.”
She added: “It’s not tomorrow. It’s not yesterday. But it’s now. The time is now that you can go after what you want.”
TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty
This is the first Miss Universe pageant held under the organization’s new ownership. JKN Global Grouppurchased Miss Universefor $20 million in October 2022, making its CEO Anne Jakapong Jakrajutatip the first woman to own the organization in its 71-year history.
The Thai businesswoman, who is also a transgender rights advocate, laid out her plans for the organization in a press release announcing the deal, according to a previousVarietyreport.
“We seek not only to continue its legacy of providing a platform to passionate individuals from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and traditions, but also to evolve the brand for the next generation,” Jakrajutatip said at the time.
This is also the first time thatNew Orleans has hostedthe Miss Universe pageant in its seven-decade history, according to NBC affiliate WDSU. New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell said the city is “celebrating the inclusion, the culture, and the empowerment of women.”
Kelly Schultz, of New Orleans and Company, said hosting the event in New Orleans “can be such a great voice” for the city, per WDSU. “We really are so grateful for them for lending us their voice,” she added.
source: people.com
