Miss USA 2022 R'Bonney Gabriel, almost a month after being crowned Miss USA, has returned to her hometown Houston, Texas for the first time. Gabriel visited one of the largest Filipino festivals in the country, the Houston Filipino Street Festival, as a special guest for the first public performance in her hometown.

"This is actually my first festival back in Houston, My first event. The weather is beautiful. Everyone is so warm and welcoming the energy is amazing. I love it. I've never done that before so that was a great fun experience. The crowd was loving it. I was loving it. It was special”, Gabriel said.

Gabriel also took the stage for an interview, and a special serenade by the Philippines’ Concert King, Martin Nievera. She also attended Rockets Filipino American Heritage Night. She created a sustainable and custom game fit by upcycling the Houston rockets hoodie into her own top and bag design.

On top of her Miss USA duties, Gabriel is also busy preparing for the upcoming Miss Universe pageant. The Miss Universe pageant will be held in New Orleans on 14th January 2023 where Miss Universe 2021 Harnaaz Sandhu of India will crown her successor at the end of the event finale.

Miss USA 2022, since being held, has been mixed in controversy. The controversy began because of a few delegates walking off the stage on the allegations of favoritism and rigging made by Miss Montana Heather Lee O”Keefe. Miss USA president, Crystle Stewart, has also been suspended pending an independent investigation by the Miss Universe Organization.