Miss USA R'Bonney Gabriel wowed judges at the Miss Universe beauty pageant on Sunday to become the first-ever Filipina-American winner in history.
Gabriel beat 83 other participants for the title at the 71st annual pageant and was crowned by the reigning Miss Universe, Harnaaz Sandhu, who was the first Indian contestant to take the title in 21 years back in 2021.
The fashion designer beat runners-up from Venezuela, Amanda Dudamel and the Dominican Republic, Andreina Martinez, to take the crown after the more than 80 competitors were gradually whittled down during the night.
None of the competitors from the Middle East, including Miss Universe Bahrain Evlin Khalifa, made it to the shortlist, where contestants paraded in swimwear and evening gowns for hundreds of spectators and a live television audience.
In later rounds, finalists were questioned on issues such as bullying, women’s empowerment and the future of the Miss Universe pageant.
Gabriel wept as she was bestowed with the $5.5 million crown by Lebanese jeweller Mouawad, which is embedded with 110 carats of blue sapphires and 48 carats of white diamonds.
The beauty queen, 28, from Bayou City, Texas, has previously created some of her own pageant gowns. Her own eco-friendly fashion line, which encompasses T-shirts to dresses, is called R'Bonney Nola.
She will start her reign as Miss Universe 2022 with immediate effect after last year’s ceremony was postponed because it clashed with the Fifa World Cup. Another competition to pick the 2023 winner is expected to be held later this year.
Swimwear and evening gown rounds
Sunday’s glitzy final kicked off in an explosion of music and colour, with Mardi Gras performers sashaying around the stage to lively Cajun fiddler Amanda Shaw and New Orleans funk band Big Sam’s Funky Nation, who looked the part in sequinned blazers, jaunty flat caps and dark shades.
All 84 delegates strutted in front of raucous crowds wearing shimmering gowns by event sponsors Portia and Scarlett, before the final was officially opened by host, US television personality Jeannie Mai-Jenkins, who demanded: “Who runs the world?” as the audience erupted in rambunctious cheers.
Of the starting delegates, only 16 were chosen for the semi-finals, which included secondary swimsuit and evening gown rounds, following on from Wednesday’s preliminary bouts.
Each delegate swept across the stage in swimwear and a custom cape designed to represent their individual countries Among the performers, Tank and the Bangas frontwoman Tarriona “Tank” Ball rocked the room in a shin-skimming pink puffer jacket.
Using her background in textiles to her advantage, Gabriel dyed her own cape, which was inspired by her father’s advice to act on her dreams and desires.
Dudamel’s cape was a collage of artwork that represented her charity work with children from the country’s largest slum. Martinez’s cape implored us to be more conscious about how we treat the environment.
Scroll through the gallery below to see more from the national costume round
The swimwear round was followed by the evening gown round, in which participants competed for their place in the final five wearing their jewel-encrusted best.
Dudamel turned heads in a rainbow-hued off-the-shoulder number, while Gabriel wore a stunning black cut-out design made from 8,000 stones and crystals.
Martinez, meanwhile, donned a plunging silver backless gown with a daring centre split.
Who were the Mena Miss Universe representatives?
Regional representatives at the Miss Universe 2022 final included Miss Bahrain Evlin Khalifa and Miss Lebanon Yasmina Zaytoun, who appeared during the opening ceremony but didn’t make it to the final 16.
On Wednesday, Khalifa, 24, made waves in the swimsuit round wearing a burkini and a customised cape with the message: "Arab women should be represented. Muslim women can also become Miss Universe".
The cape also featured the word "equality" written in Arabic.
For the evening gown round, she wore a glittery silver dress, complete with a head covering, by Filipino designer Furne One, whose Amato label is headquartered in Dubai.
Zaytoun, 20, a journalism student, was crowned Miss Lebanon 2022 in a ceremony in Beirut in July, held for the first time since 2018.
In the preliminary rounds, she wore a glamorous custom gown by Lebanese designer Charbel Zoe featuring glittery frills.
Who was the previous Miss Universe?
Miss Universe 2021 Harnaaz Sandhu was the third-ever delegate to take the crown back to India in the pageant’s history.
Inspired by her gynaecologist mother, Sandhu has been vocal about women's empowerment from her early pageant days winning Miss Chandigarh 2017 and has been instrumental in working towards menstrual equity.
For this, she's visited 25 cities in nine countries to help spread awareness. She has given more than 50 speeches at events across the world, from India to the Philippines and South Africa.
While on a trip to India in December, Sandhu launched a coalition for menstrual equity comprising 11 non-profit organisations, which aims to reach five million women in 200 places by 2025.
What is graphene?
Graphene is extracted from graphite and is made up of pure carbon.
It is 200 times more resistant than steel and five times lighter than aluminum.
It conducts electricity better than any other material at room temperature.
It is thought that graphene could boost the useful life of batteries by 10 per cent.
Graphene can also detect cancer cells in the early stages of the disease.
The material was first discovered when Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov were 'playing' with graphite at the University of Manchester in 2004.
PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES
Saturday (UAE kick-off times)
Watford v Leicester City (3.30pm)
Brighton v Arsenal (6pm)
West Ham v Wolves (8.30pm)
Bournemouth v Crystal Palace (10.45pm)
Sunday
Newcastle United v Sheffield United (5pm)
Aston Villa v Chelsea (7.15pm)
Everton v Liverpool (10pm)
Monday
Manchester City v Burnley (11pm)
The biog
Marital status: Separated with two young daughters
Education: Master's degree from American Univeristy of Cairo
Favourite book: That Is How They Defeat Despair by Salwa Aladian
Favourite Motto: Their happiness is your happiness
Goal: For Nefsy to become his legacy long after he is gon
'Joker'
Directed by: Todd Phillips
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix
Rating: Five out of five stars
MATCH INFO
Syria v Australia
2018 World Cup qualifying: Asia fourth round play-off first leg
Venue: Hang Jebat Stadium, Malayisa
Kick-off: Thursday, 4.30pm (UAE)
Watch: beIN Sports HD
* Second leg in Australia on October 10
The specs
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Power: 620hp from 5,750-7,500rpm
Torque: 760Nm from 3,000-5,750rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed dual-clutch auto
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh1.05 million ($286,000)
England squad
Joe Root (captain), Alastair Cook, Keaton Jennings, Gary Ballance, Jonny Bairstow (wicketkeeper), Ben Stokes (vice-captain), Moeen Ali, Liam Dawson, Toby Roland-Jones, Stuart Broad, Mark Wood, James Anderson.
Favourite things
Luxury: Enjoys window shopping for high-end bags and jewellery
Discount: She works in luxury retail, but is careful about spending, waits for sales, festivals and only buys on discount
University: The only person in her family to go to college, Jiang secured a bachelor’s degree in business management in China
Masters: Studying part-time for a master’s degree in international business marketing in Dubai
Vacation: Heads back home to see family in China
Community work: Member of the Chinese Business Women’s Association of the UAE to encourage other women entrepreneurs
2024%20Dubai%20Marathon%20Results
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EWomen%E2%80%99s%20race%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E1.%20Tigist%20Ketema%20(ETH)%202hrs%2016min%207sec%0D%3Cbr%3E2.%20Ruti%20Aga%20(ETH)%202%3A18%3A09%0D%3Cbr%3E3.%20Dera%20Dida%20(ETH)%202%3A19%3A29%0D%3Cbr%3EMen's%20race%3A%0D%3Cbr%3E1.%20Addisu%20Gobena%20(ETH)%202%3A05%3A01%0D%3Cbr%3E2.%20Lemi%20Dumicha%20(ETH)%202%3A05%3A20%0D%3Cbr%3E3.%20DejeneMegersa%20(ETH)%202%3A05%3A42%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Racecard:
6.30pm: Mazrat Al Ruwayah (PA) | Group 2 | US$55,000 (Dirt) | 1,600 metres
7.05pm: Meydan Sprint (TB) | Group 2 | $250,000 (Turf) | 1,000m
7.40pm: Firebreak Stakes | Group 3 | $200,000 (D) | 1,600m
8.15pm: Meydan Trophy | Conditions (TB) | $100,000 (T) | 1,900m
8.50pm: Balanchine | Group 2 (TB) | $250,000 (T) | 1,800m
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) | $135,000 (D) | 1,200m
10pm: Handicap (TB) | $175,000 (T) | 2,410m.
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
ACL Elite (West) - fixtures
Monday, Sept 30
Al Sadd v Esteghlal (8pm)
Persepolis v Pakhtakor (8pm)
Al Wasl v Al Ahli (8pm)
Al Nassr v Al Rayyan (10pm)
Tuesday, Oct 1
Al Hilal v Al Shorta (10pm)
Al Gharafa v Al Ain (10pm)
MATCH INFO
Syria v Australia
2018 World Cup qualifying: Asia fourth round play-off first leg
Venue: Hang Jebat Stadium (Malacca, Malayisa)
Kick-off: Thursday, 4.30pm (UAE)
Watch: beIN Sports HD
* Second leg in Australia scheduled for October 10
Match info
Uefa Nations League A Group 4
England 2 (Lingard 78', Kane 85')
Croatia 1 (Kramaric 57')
Man of the match: Harry Kane (England)
The specs
Engine: 2-litre or 3-litre 4Motion all-wheel-drive Power: 250Nm (2-litre); 340 (3-litre) Torque: 450Nm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Starting price: From Dh212,000 On sale: Now
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League, last-16. first leg
Atletico Madrid v Juventus, midnight (Thursday), BeIN Sports
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
