9 Facts About Miss Universe 2022 R’Bonney Nola Gabriel
Photo Courtesy of Instagram @rbonneynola
From H-town to the Universe! Here’s 9 facts about the newly crowned Miss Universe, R’Bonney Nola Gabriel. A Filipina American designer and model from Houston, Texas.
1. She’s won the Triple Crown
R’Bonney is the winner of three pageants, with all three being known as the Triple Crown: Miss Texas 2022, Miss USA 2022, and Miss Universe 2022. She is the first Filipina to wear the crown in Texas, and the first Filipina-American to wear the Miss USA crown. She is the 9th American and the oldest to be crowned Miss Universe at the age of 28.
2. She’s Named after her Filipino Father
Photo Courtesy of Instagram @rbonneynola
Pronounced “ARR- BAH-KNEE” for those of you who have not been following her journey. In true Filipino fashion, R’Bonney is named after her Filipino father, Remegio Bonzon “R. Bon” Gabriel. Like most Filipino immigrants, R Bon wanted to pave a new life for himself. He left the Philippines at the age of 25, and came to the United States with just $20 in his pocket. He came to Washington on a college scholarship, and eventually made his way to Texas, where he met R’Bonney’s mom, Dana.
3. Her Middle Name “Nola” is also significant in her journey to the crown
Is it a coincidence that R’Bonney’s middle name is Nola? New Orleans, NOLA, is the city where she won the Miss Universe pageant. NOLA is also a neighboring state to her home state of Texas.
4. She is Houston born and a Proud Filipina Texan
Photo Courtesy of Instagram @rbonneynola
“Know who you are and where you come from. Lay the path to the place where you belong.” Houston is home of the NASA space center. For her national costume, R’Bonney dressed up as a “Woman on the Moon” designed by Filipino designer, Patrick Isorena. She said, “I am proud to be from a city working to send the first female to the moon”. The purpose of her costume was to inspire women in all spaces across the universe to dream big, shoot for the moon and achieve something out of this world.
5. She is Woman of Unique Talents
Two of her favorite ways to express herself through movement are hula hooping and fire poi. These talents allow R’Bonney to stay active in a very creative way. She said, “Hooping is a fun way for me to get my body moving and I can do endless tricks with, like body rolls and tosses. Plus I just love the circus arts”.
6. She is a Model, Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Designer and CEO
R’Bonney started sewing at the age of 15 and fell in love with fabrics and textiles. She pursued her passion and graduated from the University of North Texas in 2018. She earned a bachelor’s degree in fashion design with a minor in fibers. While in college, she interned at Ese Azenabor. Upon graduation, she interned with Nicole Miller. She is the CEO of R’Bonney Nola, an eco-friendly clothing line. You have seen her designs as she donned her own looks for pageants she enters.
“As an American, I will always be grateful for the freedom and opportunity to create what I envision. Freedom to be who I want and cultivate my career is something I will never take for granted”.
R’Bonney Nola is an independent label focused on sustainable design methods and using repurposed fabrics. “Recycling designs is one of my favorite things to do. With so much textile pollution in the industry, I’m all about finding creative ways to use existing designs and bring awareness to sustainability and our environment”.
R’Bonney dreams of “having a bigger brand that is focused on sustainability and being a leading voice in the industry that's helping the industry push to a more environmentally friendly practice".
On her website, she shares that, “There is a special feeling I get when completing a garment I’ve dreamt up. The process of transforming a simple piece of fabric into something much more captivating is quite amazing. Endless possibilities…. always problem solving, always learning. In a lot of ways, the art of designing clothes reflects life; it’s challenging, unexpected, and beautiful. And if we as humans wear clothing everyday, why not make it good?”
7. Her Life motto is: “If not now, then when?”
Photo Courtesy of Instagram @rbonneynola
One of her final answers during the competition was: “Age does not define us. It’s not tomorrow, it’s not yesterday -- but it’s now. The time is now.” As a Filipina-American designer, R’Bonney aims to portray the hard work, “can do” attitude, and energetic spirit that her upbringing has taught her. On her dad’s birthday, she launched a t-shirt campaign. She created these shirts to inspire others to go after their dreams. Her dad is the inspiration for this line because he pushed her to work hard for her goals and not to wait to take action. He taught her that now rather than later is the best time to go after your goals. Of course, staying true to her efforts to be more environmentally conscious, the t-shirts are made from recycled plastic bottles.
8. She Believes Empowered Women Should Empower More Women
If given the opportunity, R’Bonney said she will use her platform and opportunity to be a “transformational leader”. She’s already doing that as the lead sewing instructor at Magpies & Peacocks, a non-profit design house that is dedicated to using “Fashion As A Force For Good'' through sustainability and community impact. Within the “MAKR” program, R’Bonney teaches women in under-served communities as well as survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking.
9. She is a Staunch Advocate for Asian-American Women
As a Filipino-American, Gabriel feels a “big responsibility” to share her multicultural background and empower others to embrace their identities. As a voice for her fellow Asian-Americans, she hopes to open the door for more diversity and representation. On the Miss Universe website, she shares that her mission is “for women and young girls to see themselves in her, and feel inspired to conquer their goals by owning who they are." On her Instagram, she states, “The more we shine a light on our community, the more our light can shine on the world.”
During the Miss Universe final question portion, R’Bonney said, “It is so important to invest in others, invest in our community, and use your unique talent to make a difference. We all have something special, and when we plant those seeds in other people in our life, we transform them and we use that as a vehicle for change.”
Written By Jennifer Redondo
Co-Founder and Co-Author of In Her Purpose
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