R’Bonney Nola Walker Gabriel was crowned Miss Universe 2022 at the finale held at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana on 14th January 2023. She brought home the Miss Universe crown to USA after 10 years. The stunning Miss Universe from USA is 28 years of age and stands 5 feet 7 inches tall.
Background
The Filipino American fashion designer, model and beauty queen hails from Houston, Texas. Her father Remigio Bonson ‘Bon’ Gabriel was 19 when he immigrated from Metro Manila, Philippines to Washington, USA while her mother Dana Walker Gabriel grew up in Beaumont, Texas. Born in San Antonio, Texas, R’Bonney is the youngest of four siblings.
Education
Gabriel grew up in Houston and was a volleyball player in high school. By the age of 15, she had developed a keen interest in fashion, textiles, and fabrics. In 2018, Gabriel graduated from the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas where she earned her bachelor’s degree in fashion and apparel design.
Pageantry
Gabriel competed against 20 other candidates at Miss Kemah 2020 at the South Shore Harbour Resort and Conference Center in League City, Texas in 2020. She was runner-up to Gabriella Garza. In 2021, she competed against 131 other candidates at Miss Texas USA 2021 at Hilton Houston Post Oak Hotel in Houston where she placed as the runner-up to Victoria Hinojosa.
In 2022, she represented Friendswood at Miss Texas USA 2022 and competed against 88 other candidates at Hilton Houston Post Oak Hotel in Houston, Texas. She won the title, making her the first Miss Texas USA of Filipino descent. Later, she represented Texas at Miss USA 2022 and competed against 50 other candidates at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno and won the title. She is the second Miss USA of Filipino descent following Macel Wilson who was crowned in 1962.
Advocacy
R’Bonney Nola is an advocate for sustainability in the fashion industry. She runs the independent fashion label R’Bonney Nola and teaches sewing classes through the non-profit organization Magpies & Peacocks, based in Houston. The non-profit organisation believes in using fashion as a force of good and championing the cause of sustainability and community impact, something that aligns with Gabriel’s personal values too. For her work, she also received the Gucci Changemakers title.
Winning Answer
In the final question round at the Miss Universe 2022 ceremony, she was asked, “If you win Miss Universe, how will you work to demonstrate this is an empowering and progressive organisation?” She replied that through her business, the clothing brand R’bonney Nola, she focuses on cutting down on pollution and using recycled materials. She also revealed she teaches sewing to women who have survived human trafficking and domestic violence.