R’Bonney Gabriel representing the United States of America has won the 2022 Miss Universe beauty pageant.
The event took place at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center in Louisiana, with 90 women representing countries all over the globe.
Gabriel is the first Miss USA to win the competition in a decade, and is the first Filipino-American to represent the country.
The last Miss USA to take home the crown was Olivia Culpo in 2012.
Miss Venezuela Amanda Dudamel was the first runner up and Miss Dominican Republic Andreína Martínez was the second runner up for the coveted prize.
In the Q&A at the last stage of the competition for the three finalists, Ms Gabriel was asked how she would work to demonstrate Miss Universe is “an empowering and progressive organisation” if she was to win.
“I would use it to be a transformational leader,” she responded, citing her work using recycled materials in her fashion design and teaching sewing to survivors of human trafficking and domestic violence.
“It is so important to invest in others, invest in our community and use your unique talent to make a difference.
“We all have something special, and when we plant those seeds to other people in our life, we transform them and we use that as a vehicle for change.”
