R’Bonney Gabriel, Representative of the United States, won the crown of the most beautiful woman in the world at the Miss Universe pageant held on Saturday, January 14, 2023.
Gabriel, who became the first Filipino-American to be crowned Miss United States last year, managed to beat more than 80 other Miss Universe contestants. Among them the Venezuelan Amanda Dudamel and the Dominican Andreína Martínez, who made it into the top three of the popular beauty pageant together with Bonney.
Amid the scandal that led to the triumph of Gabriel, who took the crown ahead of Amanda Dudamel, some photos have come to light in which he looks natural, without a drop of make-up on his face.
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While most of the photos on Gabriel’s Instagram feed are overshadowed by prom dresses, her time at Miss Universe, and her work as a fashion designer, there’s also room for naturalness.
A picture, published December 4, 2022, shows “the most beautiful woman in the world” as you see little lately: naturally and without a drop of make-up. With nothing more than a selfie, Gabriel showed smooth, radiant and well-groomed skin, which of course did not go unnoticed by users.
“Better natural”, “Very pretty without makeup”, “This girl is beautiful. She deserves the win”, “She looks prettier without makeup” and “Very beautiful” were some of the comments that Gabriels emphasized beauty.
However, it was not all rosy, there were also some netizens who, instead of praising it, suggested that it did not deserve the title. “A very ordinary beauty,” “It’s not what was seen in Miss Universe,” and “Nothing worthy of the crown,” they wrote on the networks.
Gabriel’s coronation brought pride and joy to US territory, but it was not far from controversy: the US representative’s victory was marred by rumors of possible fraud. Some claimed favouritism; while others talked about strategy.
The excitement in the networks was so great that even the owner of the Miss Universe organization, Anne Jakkaphong Jakrajutatip, commented on the allegations on her Instagram account: “The rules and the judges were fair and just. Each Miss Universe contestant was judged on her own merits in the competition. Not everyone can win the competition, but everyone has an equal chance to win.”
Who is R’Bonney Gabriel, winner of Miss Universe 2022?
At the age of 28, the American R’Bonney Gabriel won the title of Miss Universe. Born in Houston – but with Filipino roots on her father’s side – she is a model, sewing teacher and passionate fashion designer who prioritizes not only the environment but also the community in her work.
“I teach sewing classes to women who have survived human trafficking and domestic violence. And I say that because it’s very important to invest in others, invest in our community and use your unique talent to make a difference (…) I will use fashion as a force for good,” said the current miss Universe in dialogue with the show “Good Morning America”.
Long before entering the beauty pageant, the American studied fashion and clothing design at the University of North Texas, where she graduated in 2018. There she specialized in fibers.
Her passion and career in fashion was also evident in Miss Universe with the orange cape that Gabriel not only wore but also designed. “If not now, then when,” read the fabric that ran down the catwalk.