The first Filipino American to win the Miss Universe title, R'Bonney Gabriel, visited New York's Empire State Building on Tuesday.
Ms Gabriel was named the winner of the 71st annual Miss Universe pageant at the weekend in New Orleans, Louisiana. She is the first Miss USA to take home the crown in a decade.
In making the ceremonial trip to the New York skyscraper, Ms Gabriel was humble about the myriad advances she represents.
“I feel so honoured,” she said.
At 28 years old, she is the oldest Miss Universe in the competition's history.
The official Empire State Building Twitter account tweeted a photo of her in the building, with a caption reading: “Two icons in the same place.”
A follow-up tweet on the account said that “the other icon is me”, jokingly referencing the building itself.
She told Reuters of her connection to her father's ancestral homeland: “I feel like I'm carrying all the Filipinos with me on my shoulders and I just want to represent how amazing we are.
“It's just a time to celebrate. Filipinos, Americans, Asian Americans.”
In an interview with Texas media, Ms Gabriel said her father came to the US as a student on a scholarship with $20 in his pocket.
Ms Gabriel is a fashion designer from Houston, Texas, and has interned for Nicole Miller.
In promoting her own line, R'Bonney Nola, Ms Gabriel makes sure to focus on eco-friendly designs.
“I'll be wearing a lot of upcycled and recycled pieces during my reign just to show the world that you can get creative and wear sustainable pieces in the fashion industry,” she said.
“We can make a lot of change with that.”
Ms Gabriel beat 84 other contestants for the title of Miss Universe.
The first runner-up was Amanda Dudamel of Venezuela.
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Miss USA R'Bonney Gabriel celebrates after winning the 71st Miss Universe competition at the New Orleans Ernest N Morial Convention Centre in Louisiana. AFP -
Gabriel on stage after being crowned Miss Universe at the 71st Miss Universe pageant, in New Orleans. AP -
Gabriel, back to camera, is hugged by other contestants after being crowned Miss Universe. AP -
Gabriel celebrates after her win. Reuters -
From left, Miss Venezuela Amanda Dudamel, Miss USA Gabriel and Miss Dominican Republic Andreina Martinez hold hands before the final verdict during the 71st Miss Universe competition in Louisiana. AFP -
Gabriel reacts after being picked among the final three contestants in the final round. AP -
The final five contestants, from left, Miss Dominican Republic Martinez, Miss Curacao Gabriela Dos Santos, Miss Puerto Rico Ashley Carino, Miss USA Gabriel and Miss Venezuela Dudamel. AP -
Thai businesswoman and owner of Miss Universe pageant Anne Jakkaphong Jakrajutatip speaks during the 71st Miss Universe competition. AFP -
Contestants take part in the final round. AFP -
Gabriel on stage. Reuters -
Miss Trinidad and Tobago Tya Jane Ramey. Reuters -
Miss Spain Alicia Faubel. Reuters -
Miss Australia Monique Riley. AFP -
Miss Canada Amelia Tu. Reuters -
Miss Haiti Mideline Phelizor. Reuters -
Jakrajutatip, left, as owner of the Miss Universe Organisation, presents the ImpactWayv Challenge Award to Miss Thailand Anna Sueangam-iam. AP -
Miss Colombia Maria Fernanda Aristizabal reacts after being selected as the last of the 16 finalists. AP -
Jeannie Mai Jenkins and Olivia Culpo host the competition. Getty Images -
Miss Seychelles Gabriella Gonthier walks through the crowd with fellow contestants for the start of the final round. AP
Reuters contributed to this report
