The crown at the 71st Miss Universe Competition went to the first Filipino-American to win Miss USA on Saturday night at the international beauty pageant in New Orleans.
R’Bonney Gabriel, a fashion designer, model and sewing instructor from Texas, beat out 83 other contestants.
Gabriel closed her eyes and clasped hands with runner-up Miss Venezuela, Amanda Dudamel, at the moment of the dramatic reveal of the winner, then beamed after her name was announced.
Thumping music rang out, and she was handed a bouquet of flowers, draped in the winner’s sash and crowned with a tiara onstage.
MISS UNIVERSE 2023 WILL BE HOSTED BY OLIVIA CULPO AND JEANNIE MAI JENKINS
The Miss Universe Organization suspended the organizers of the Miss USA pageant — Miss Brand Corp — after allegations surfaced that the competition was rigged and the winner predetermined back in October 2022.
Miss Texas R’Bonney Gabriel was crowned Miss USA on Oct. 3.
Shortly after her win, contestants began to complain that…
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