Kaylah Walton
This upcoming Saturday, the 73rd edition of Miss Universe will take place, determining the new beauty queen on November 16 in Mexico.
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It’s notable that the most recent winner from America is R’Bonney Gabriel, who earned her crown in 2022.
Despite her achievements, Gabriel faced significant criticism during her reign, starting from the day she was crowned.
Controversy After Becoming Miss Universe
R’Bonney Gabriel, a model and fashion designer with a Filipino father and an American mother, was 28 years old when she won the title. She emerged as one of the three finalists alongside representatives from the Dominican Republic and Venezuela.
The competition sparked debate regarding allegations of favoritism, particularly because the pageant was hosted in New Orleans, USA. In response, she defended her win, stating she had dedicated considerable effort to achieve this milestone, and chose to disregard her critics, as reported by People magazine.
She shared, “Honestly, I’m not someone who takes myself too seriously. I love watching memes. They make me laugh. I was laughing at myself when I got on stage.”
Resigning from Miss USA
Upon becoming Miss Universe and recognizing her packed agenda, Gabriel stepped down from her role as Miss USA. Morgan Romano, who represented North Carolina at the national pageant, was named her successor.
Decisions that Frustrated Miss Universe Officials
According to Semana, Gabriel made certain choices that were not well-received by the Miss Universe organization, including her intention to pursue her career as a fashion designer while honoring her royal duties.
She expressed her desire to relocate her sewing workshop to New York to continue her passion, even in various interviews. Such intentions raised concerns as titleholders are expected to adhere strictly to their contractual obligations to retain their titles.
Is Miss Universe Just a Social Media Persona?
Another issue discussed regarding the reigning queen was the perception that while she appears friendly online, her real-life demeanor is quite different.
This disparity contributed to her struggles in building a rapport with the audience, in contrast to other queens who found it easier to connect.
Her journey hasn’t been without obstacles, leaving us curious about what the future holds for the next queen.
