1 / 6R’Bonney Gabriel, a fashion designer, model and sewing instructor from Texas who competition officials said is the first Filipino American to win Miss USA, was crowned Miss Universe on Saturday night.2 / 6R'Bonney Nola Gabriel (born March 20, 1994) is an American beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss Universe 2022, becoming the ninth entrant from the United States to win the title, as well as the oldest to be crowned. Previously, she was the winner of Miss USA 2022 pageant, held in Reno, Nevada.3 / 6Gabriel was born in Houston, Texas to a Filipino father, Remigio Bonzon 'R. Bon' Gabriel, and an American mother, Dana Walker. She has three older brothers. Her father was born in the Philippines and is originally from Manila, having immigrated to Washington state at the age of 25. Her mother is from Beaumont, Texas.4 / 6Gabriel graduated from the University of North Texas with a bachelor's degree in fashion design with a minor in fibers.[2][3] She now works as a designer creating eco-friendly clothing, and as a model5 / 6Her first foray into pageantry was when she joined Miss Kemah USA 2020, where she placed among the Top 5 finalists.[4] She competed at Miss Texas USA 2021 as Miss Harris County and placed as first runner-up to Victoria Hinojosa of McAllen.6 / 6She won Miss Texas USA 2022 and went on to represent Texas at Miss USA 2022, wherein she was subsequently crowned as Miss USA 2022 becoming the first Miss USA of Filipino descent. As Miss USA 2022, she represented the United States at the Miss Universe 2022 pageant. She was crowned Miss Universe 2022 by the outgoing titleholder Harnaaz Sandhu, making her the 9th American to win the pageant. Her victory also made her the first representative from the United States to win Miss Universe since Olivia Culpo at Miss Universe 2012