Newly crowned Miss Universe hails from suburban Houston: 'R’Bonney, you have earned every inch of this!'

Friendswood resident R'Bonney Gabriel won the 2023 Miss Universe Pageant in New Orleans on Saturday, per a report from Houston CBS affiliate KHOU.

The 28-year-old Gabriel previously won the titles of Miss USA and Miss Texas USA before besting a field of 83 women. 

The model and fashion designer had earned the distinction of being the first Filipina American to be crowned Miss USA.

KHOU reported that Gabriel finished ahead of Miss Venezuela, Amanda Dudamel, the first runner-up, and Miss Dominican Republic, Andreina Martinez, the second runner-up. 

When asked as to how she would show the world how Miss Universe is “an empowering and progressive organization” if she were crowned, the station reported, the 2018 University of North Texas (UNT) graduate said she’d use the opportunity “to be a transformational leader.” 

Per KHOU, Gabriel referenced her work with her own fashion label, R’Bonney Nola, and a sewing teacher at Houston-based nonprofit organization Magpies and Peacocks.

As it has with each of Gabriel’s victories, Magpies and Peacocks took to social media to congratulate her. 

“R’Bonney, you have earned every inch of this!” it wrote on Instagram along with a picture of a smiling Gabriel receiving the Miss Universe crown. 

Gabriel’s biography on the pageant’s website said she was just in high school when she fell in love with “constructing designs with fabrics and textiles.”

Gabriel, whose father hails from the Philippines and mother a Beaumont native, said it’s important for her and others like her to embrace their culture. 

Per the organization, she considered it an honor to be published in an issue of Vogue Philippines. 

“I'm paving the way for them to just go after whatever they want no matter what it is,” Gabriel said in an interview with Houston NBC affiliate KPRC’s “Houston Life,” according to Houston Daily.