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| R'Bonney Gabriel will represent the US in the Miss Universe contest. |
Gabriel, 28, will go on to represent the US at the upcoming Miss Universe pageant that will be held in New Orleans Jan. 23 in 2023.
When she won the Miss Texas title earlier this year she told ABC News' local affiliate in Houston. "I'm a very proud Filipina Texan."
Many of the initial articles (unfortunately, including this blog, mea culpa) about Gabriel's accomplishment touted her as the first Filipino American to win the Miss USA title. That feat belongs to Macel Wilson of Hawaii who won the title in 1962. She was, in fact, the first non-White to win the contest.
Gabriel is turning out to be one of the most quotable beauty queens in recent memory and one who is not shy about proclaiming her Filipino roots.
"Oh my God, it's an honor," Gabriel told Houston Life following her win on Oct. 3, the start of Filipino American History Month. "I'm getting messages on Instagram and just social media of Filipina girls and women telling me they're so excited, they're so happy."
"They're crying tears of joy because they are inspired to go after pageantry or something," she added. "Like I'm paving the way for them to just go after whatever they want no matter what it is. So it's an honor."
“My mom is from Beaumont, Texas, and my father is from the Philippines,” Gabriel wrote in an Instagram post. “They got married in Manila, Philippines."
The new Miss USA is fashion designer based in Houston. She also works with the nonprofit Magpies and Peacocks, teaching sewing to survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking. She graduated from the University of North Texas with a degree in fashion design.
Gabriel also won Best in National Costume. Her look was inspired by the Texas state flower, the bluebonnet, which was created with a glamorous twist by Filipino designer Patrick Isorena.
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| R'Bonney Gabriel's costume reflects her dual heritage. |
"I hand-painted the same flower design from my mother’s wedding dress onto my sleeves and tied in a traditional Maria Clara Filipina collar shape. I have immense gratitude for the (opportunities) my parents provided me and wanted to express my love to them through this,” she told the GMA hosts.
“This outfit I designed with my parents in mind—tying in the flower patterns from my [mom's] wedding dress and a Filipina traditional Maria Clara collar shape,” R’Bonney said on Instagram.
“I feel at peace knowing I have put in the work to develop into the truest form of myself. I’ve learned the importance of embracing who I am,” she added. “I'm here to represent Texans, Filipina Americans, and those who push past (self-doubt) to reach their greatest potential.”
It may be difficult for the Miss Universe handlers to control the new Miss USA. In an interview with Insider a day after she won her crown, it is clear that the outspoken Gabriel is not going to fit into the beauty queen mold as she was interviewed by the Filipino network GMA, she shared her thoughts on several controversial issues
"In Texas, and in our country, we can't completely abolish guns but I think we need to take steps to make everybody feel safer," she added. "In Texas, you don't need a concealed handgun license to carry a gun, and I strongly disagree with that."
On abortion bans:
"I think, personally, with abortion there's so many different instances and situations in a woman's life where it could be appropriate, and other reasons why it's inappropriate," Gabriel said. "I think it's a case-by-case basis that's very personal to a woman's life in general."
"I personally believe that she should be able to make that decision on abortion, and not the government or anybody else," she added. "At the end of the day, I would want a woman to be able to have that decision. In Texas, even if its rape or incest, abortion is still illegal — and I disagree with that."
EDITOR'S NOTE: Earlier versions of this post erroneously reported that R'Bonney Grabriel was the first Filipino Americans crowned as Miss USA. For additional commentary, news and views from an AANHPI perspective, follow @DioknoEd on Twitter.
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