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Fil-Am R’Bonney Gabriel is the new Miss USA
Filipino-American fashion designer R’Bonney Gabriel has been named as the new Miss USA!
Representing Texas, she was crowned in a ceremony at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, Nevada. R’Bonney will represent the States in the Miss Universe competition, which is scheduled for January 2023.
According to the pageant’s Instagram Stories, R’Bonney also won Best in National Costume. Her look was inspired by the Texas state flower, the bluebonnet, which was created with a glamorous twist by Filipino designer Patrick Isorena.
In one of her interviews for Miss USA, R’Bonney wore her own creation inspired by her Filipino heritage.
“This outfit I designed with my parents in mind—tying in the flower patterns from my [mom's] wedding dress and a Filipina traditional Maria Clara collar shape,” R’Bonney said on Instagram.
“I feel at peace knowing I have put in the work to develop into the truest form of myself. I’ve learned the importance of embracing who I am,” she added. “I'm here to represent Texans, Filipina-Americans, and those who push past [self-doubt] to reach their greatest potential.”
The new Miss USA also runs the independent fashion label R’Bonney Nola, which practices sustainable design methods and uses repurposed and natural fabrics.
“Each garment is handmade with attention to detail to reflect the core value of quality clothing. With a commitment to sustainability, the garments are mindfully created with experimental textures, embroideries, and unique handwork in order to reduce the amount of textile waste produced by each piece,” the brand said on its official website.
Meanwhile, the Philippines’ representative for the Miss Universe pageant is Celeste Cortesi, who was crowned in April. —Nika Roque/JCB, GMA News
