Miami, Jan. 14 (EFE). – Miss USA, R’Bonney Gabriel, was crowned this Saturday as Miss Universe in New Orleans (USA South), with the mission to be the face of the new phase of the defense-focused organization. Gender equality and women’s rights.
The first and second runners-up were Miss Venezuela Amanda Dudamel and Miss Dominican Republic Andreina Martínez, respectively. The three beauty queens will have to devote a year to the pageant and move to Thailand, where the pageant will be held starting this year.
And before announcing the winner, the Miss Universe Organization revealed that the next edition, corresponding to 2023, will be held in El Salvador, via a video of the president of that country, Neb Bukele.
The new Miss Universe, 28, is the ninth winner of her country’s pageant. Venezuela won the title seven times and the Dominican Republic once, in 2003.
Gabrielle was crowned by her Indian ancestor Harnaz Sandhu with the new Force for Good tiara containing 993 gemstones and a 45.14-carat sapphire.
Valued at $5.3 million, it is the most expensive crown in the pageant’s 71-year history, which was also awarded to the first band made from recyclable materials.
Philippine America
The new Miss World is the first woman of Filipino descent to be crowned Miss USA. His father, Remigio Bonzon “R. Bon” Gabriel, is a Filipino who came to the country to study psychology at USC. His mother, Dana Walker, is American.
Model and Miss Universe 2012 Olivia Culpo and American host Jenny May hosted the ceremony, which was held at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.
Rapper and hip-hop singer Big Freedia, Big Sam’s Funky Nation, violinist Amanda Shaw, Tank and The Bangas group and singer Yolanda Adams were responsible for the musical part of the concert, which was marked by Afro-French. Typical American city and country culture.
Big Freedia was also part of the judging panel, completed by Cuban journalist and presenter Myrka Dellanos, Miss Universe 2010, Mexican Ximena Navarrete, CEO of Roku Sweta Patel, Miss Universe 1998 Wendy Fitzwilliam, actress and journalist Emily Austin and CEO and founder of O Skin Med Spa Olivia Quido.
Rallies and questions you must decide
Although this Miss Universe ceremony was held in 2023, the winner will hold the title of Miss Universe 2022, as the competition has been postponed so as not to compete with the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
The new Miss Universe and finalists emerged in an initial pool of 16 semi-finalists, which also included candidates from Puerto Rico, Curaçao, Spain, Haiti, Australia, Laos, South Africa, Portugal, Canada, Trinidad and Tobago, Curaçao, India and Colombia.
This group was selected based on results obtained during gala parades, swimwear, and one-on-one interviews with the jury conducted previously.
Ahead of the semi-final parade, the new owner of the Miss Universe Organization, Thai billionaire Ann Jakakavong Jakragotatep, confirmed that Saturday had ushered in “a new phase of Miss Universe, made by women for women” and recounted how she had “changed the pains” of being rejected as a transgender woman at the beat. .
Under this new administration, the contest accelerated the process towards issues of equality and feminism. For Miss Universe 72, it has already been revealed that married candidates with children will be accepted, something that has so far been denied.
Gabriel said in the question and answer session that he would advocate for raising the minimum age for women candidates as well.
(c) EFE Agency
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