Five things to know about the new Miss Universe R’Bonney Gabriel. Images via Instagram @missuniverse.
Exclusive: Miss Universe R’Bonney Gabriel on visiting South Africa
Miss Universe R’Bonney Gabriel spoke to The South African on what her time in South African has been like while on the Miss SA red carpet.
Five things to know about the new Miss Universe R’Bonney Gabriel. Images via Instagram @missuniverse.
Reigning Miss Universe R’Bonney Gabriel revealed that she has connected with Mzansi and went on an overnight safari while she was in South Africa, in an exclusive interview with The South African on the Miss SA red carpet.
The Miss SA finale was held at SunBet Arena, Times Square in Pretoria on Sunday 13 August. Natasha Joubert, who placed in the Miss SA Top three in 2020, was crowned Miss SA 2023. Bryoni Govender is the runner up while Nande Mabala became the second runner up. Bryoni will represent South Africa at the Miss Universe pageant in El Salvador in November.
ALSO READ: Live updates: Natasha Joubert crowned Miss SA, Bryoni Govender to represent SA at Miss Universe
R’BONNEY ON HER WEEK IN SOUTH AFRICA
Miss Universe and formerly Miss USA R’Bonney Gabriel touched down in South Africa last week ahead of the Miss SA 2023 finale, where she was one of the judges. This was the beauty queen’s first time in South Africa and she loved it.
While speaking to The South African, on the Miss SA red carpet on Sunday 13 August at Times Square, Pretoria, she revealed that she connected with Mzansi, ate our cuisine and went on a safari.
“I’ve been here for a week. I’ve been able to connect with locals, eat amazing South African food. I have been busy judging, we did the interview room, we had the rehearsals,” she said exclusively to The South African.
“And the over night safari was amazing,” she continued.
Take a look…
ALSO READ: Why Natasha Joubert can’t compete at Miss Universe, Miss World
FIVE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT R’BONNEY GABRIEL
- R’Bonney is 28 years old. This is the oldest age allowed to compete in the pageant.
- According to Marca, Miss Universe’s father Remigio Bonzon ‘R. Bon’ Gabriel who came to the USA to study. He married her mom, Dana Walker – a US citizen. She is the first woman of Filipino descent to win the Miss Universe title.
- The 28-year-old was born in San Antonio, Texas.
- The beauty queen’s father went to the US to study psychology at the University of Southern California. He later went on to earn a PHD in psychology from the University of Houston.
- R’Bonney is a fashion designer by profession. She holds a degree in Fashion Design and graduated in 2018.
ALSO READ: Miss Universe South Africa 2023: Meet Bryoni Govender
