R’Bonney made history as a titleholder by being the first Asian American woman to earn the Miss Texas USA title
By Folayemi Oladimeji
A new Miss USA has emerged. She is R’Bonney Gabriel, Miss Texas. She walked away a winner during the Oct. 3 competition at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, Nev.
Miss North Carolina Morgan Romano was awarded runner-up followed by Miss Nebraska Natalie Pieper.
R’Bonney Gabriel (born March 20, 1994) is a Filipino-American beauty pageant titleholder.
During the ceremony, 2021 Miss USA titleholder Elle Smith gracefully passed down the crown, marking the end of her reign. Just yesterday, Elle reflected on her time with the title by sharing a message with a photo of her crowning last year.
“The moment that changed my life forever,” Elle wrote on Instagram on Oct. 2. “Class of 2021, I hope I made you proud,” she added.
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Now, the sparkling piece is in the hands of R’Bonney—a fashion designer with plenty to be learned about her.
R’Bonney made history as a titleholder by being the first Asian American woman to earn the Miss Texas USA title, per ABC News. She was also the first Filipina-American to hold the title.
The model, who beat 49 other candidates to succeed Miss USA 2021 Elle Smith, will now represent her country at the Miss Universe pageant on January 14 in New Orleans.
Miss USA 2019 Cheslie Kryst, who died earlier this year, was honoured during the show, in the same venue where she was crowned.
