On Saturday night, R’Bonney Gabriel of the United States was named the 71st Miss Universe.
Amanda Dudamel from Venezuela and Andrena Martnez from the Dominican Republic lost out to Gabriel, who last year made history by becoming the first Filipino-American to win Miss USA.
In New Orleans, Louisiana, 84 ladies from around the world competed for the title in the pageant.
The tournament ended on Saturday night, with eliminations reducing the number of competitors until only the final two remained.
“Miss Universe recently made an inclusive change allowing mothers and married women to participate this year,” she was asked when Gabriel reached the Top 5. What other modification would you like to see and why?
In her response, Gabriel expressed her desire for the contest’s age restrictions to be raised.
The Top 3 contestants were questioned on how, if they won the crown, they would work to promote Miss Universe as an empowering and progressive organization during the competition’s final question and answer session.
By reducing pollution and using recycled materials in the creation of garments, Gabriel stressed her desire to be a “transformational leader” and a force for good in the fashion business.
“I give sewing lessons to women who have escaped domestic abuse and human trafficking. And I say that because it’s crucial to support others, support our community, and use your special talent to change the world, added Gabriel.
Given that I am 28 years old, I would like to see a rise in age. The oldest age to compete is that one. And I consider it to be lovely. If not now, when? is one of my favorite quotations. Because I feel that age does not determine who we are as women. It’s not tomorrow or yesterday; it’s now this second. The moment has come, she declared.
Gabriel, a model, fashion designer, and sewing instructor from Houston, places a high value on the environment.
Earlier in the pageant, Gabriel wore a red-orange cape that she had coloured herself and was designed to seem like a phoenix rising, with the phrase “if not now, then when.” Her father’s counsel to act on one’s ambitions, dreams, and desires served as the basis for the words.
After businesswoman and champion for transgender rights Anne Jakkaphong Jakrajutatip purchased the Miss Universe Organization for $20 million in October, JKN Global Group PCL, a media distribution firm with headquarters in Thailand, conducted the competition for the first time this year.
Jakkaphong, the first female owner of the pageant, has been outspoken about her experiences as a transgender woman.
She appeared on stage to commemorate Thailand’s Anna Sueangam-iams devotion to social justice by presenting her with the ImpactWayv Challenge winner.
A testament to her humble roots and her parents’ jobs as garbage collectors, Miss Thailand made headlines during the preliminary rounds of the contest in an attire constructed of soda tabs.
