United States: R’Bonney Gabriel of the United States was named the 71st Miss Universe. Amanda Dudamel from Venezuela and Andrena Martnez from the Dominican Republic lost out to Gabriel, who last year made history by becoming the first Filipino-American to win Miss USA.

The pageant was held in New Orleans, Louisiana, with 84 women from around the world competing for the crown. When Gabriel entered the Top 5, she was asked, “Miss Universe recently made an inclusive change allowing mothers and married women to compete this year. What’s another change you’d like to see and why?”

The new Miss Universe is USA!!! #MISSUNIVERSE pic.twitter.com/7vryvLV92Y

— Miss Universe (@MissUniverse) January 15, 2023

In her response, Gabriel expressed her desire for the contest’s age restrictions to be raised. “For me, I would like to see an age increase because I am 28 years old. And that is the oldest age to compete. And I think it’s a beautiful thing. My favorite quote is ‘if not now, then when?’ Because as a woman, I believe age does not define us. It’s not tomorrow, it’s not yesterday — but it’s now. The time is now,” the new miss universe remarked.

Gabriel, a model, fashion designer, and sewing instructor from Houston, places a high value on the environment. This year’s pageant was organized for the first time by JKN Global Group PCL, a Thailand-based media distribution company, after tycoon and transgender rights advocate Anne Jakkaphong Jakrajutatip bought the Miss Universe Organization for $20 million in October.

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