It’s been a decade since the Miss Universe crown has been brought back to the United States. Texas native and former Miss USA R’Bonney Gabriel graced the stage in New Orleans this past January and won the title of Miss Universe. The previous Miss Universe that represented the United States was Olivia Culpo. R’Bonney has done so many amazing things before and after receiving the crown that make her title just that much more impactful.
Her Hashtag
As a digital marketing major, I saw the things she was doing while competing and I loved everything about it. For example, she started the hashtag #NolatakesNola, as her middle name is Nola and she was competing for the crown in New Orleans, Louisiana. Whoever helps her with public relations gets a golden star from me! I thought the hashtag was a clever and punny way to follow her through her journey to victory.
Being in tune with her Filipina side
R’Bonney is a Texas native but was born to a Filipina father and a Caucasian mother, making her Filipina-American. As someone that is not fully American in the pageant world, I can look up to and relate to R’Bonney. The night of her win, she was featured in a reel where she shows off her first sweet treat at the after party and it just so happens to be the popular Filipino dessert Ube Mamon. I believe this could’ve been intentional and even a marketing tactic to bring in Filipinos to her fanbase for the Miss Universe pageant. However, I love how she featured this dessert as it makes other Filipino-Americans relate to her.
She is a sustainable fashion designer
Growing up, R’Bonney went to thrift stores and was taught how to upcycle clothing. This followed into her adult years as she continues to do this today, and she makes her own clothing at times. Her interview outfit and other outfits worn at the Miss Universe Pageant were handmade by Gabriel. She even features the design process of the garments made which I think makes her moments leading up to the crown that much more memorable. She was letting us experience the behind-the-scenes moments with her.
She handled her first moments as Miss USA with grace
If someone were to say that I wasn’t deserving of my win because I was the favored winner from the start, I’d probably go off and create a scandal. However, during one of R’Bonney’s first media interviews, she was asked about the controversies surrounding the theories that the Miss USA pageant was “rigged.” She never threw any girl under the bus and answered all questions given with such grace.
Her community service is inspiring
Not only did R’Bonney find something to do for community service that deeply helps those struggling, but she found an opportunity to teach something that she is passionate about. She teaches domestic violence survivors how to sew. She also works for a non-profit that converts used clothing and scraps into new, upcycled clothing.
