Miss USA R'Bonney Gabriel wins Miss Universe Competition - ABC News

NEW ORLEANS -- R’Bonney Gabriel, a manner designer, exemplary and sewing teacher from Texas who contention officials said is the archetypal Filipino American to triumph Miss USA, was crowned Miss Universe connected Saturday night.

Gabriel closed her eyes and clasped hands with runner-up Miss Venezuela, Amanda Dudamel, astatine the infinitesimal of the melodramatic uncover of the winner, past beamed aft her sanction was announced.

Thumping euphony rang out, and she was handed a bouquet of flowers, draped successful the winner's sash and crowned with a tiara onstage astatine the 71st Miss Universe Competition, held successful New Orleans.

The 2nd runner-up was Miss Dominican Republic, Andreina Martinez.

In the Q&A astatine the past signifier of the contention for the 3 finalists, Gabriel was asked however she would enactment to show Miss Universe is “an empowering and progressive organization” if she were to win.

“I would usage it to beryllium a transformational leader,” she responded, citing her enactment utilizing recycled materials successful her manner plan and teaching sewing to survivors of quality trafficking and home violence.

“It is truthful important to put successful others, put successful our assemblage and usage your unsocial endowment to marque a difference,” Gabriel continued. “We each person thing special, and erstwhile we works those seeds to different radical successful our life, we alteration them and we usage that arsenic a conveyance for change.”

According to Miss Universe, Gabriel is simply a erstwhile precocious schoolhouse volleyball subordinate and postgraduate of the University of North Texas. A abbreviated bio posted connected the organization's website said she is besides CEO of her ain sustainable covering line.

Nearly 90 contestants from astir the satellite took portion successful the competition, organizers said, involving “personal statements, successful extent interviews and assorted categories including evening gown & swimwear.”

Miss Curacao, Gabriela Dos Santos, and Miss Puerto Rico, Ashley Carino, rounded retired the apical 5 finalists.

Last year’s victor was Harnaaz Sandhu of India.