Miss Texas R’Bonney Gabriel crowned winner of Miss USA 2022

A new Miss USA has been crowned — and she’s making history.

Miss Texas R’Bonney Gabriel won the coveted title during the competition on Monday night and is the first Asian-American woman and first Filipina American to earn the Miss Texas USA title.

Miss North Carolina Morgan Romano walked away runner-up, followed by Miss Nebraska Natalie Pieper in third place.

Last year’s Miss USA Elle Smith passed the crown to Gabriel, 28.

Gabriel, a fashion designer, designed her Miss USA interview outfit on her own as a tribute to her parents. 

“My mom is from Beaumont, Texas, and my father is from the Philippines. They got married in Manila, Philippines. I hand-painted the same flower design from my mother’s wedding dress onto my sleeves and tied in a traditional Maria Clara Filipina collar shape. I have immense gratitude for the [opportunities] my parents provided me and wanted to express my love to them through this,” she wrote on Instagram. 

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Fifty-one contestants from the 50 states and the District of Columbia competed for Miss USA in Reno, Nevada.

The prizes included a six-figure salary, a condo in Los Angeles, a “fabulous car” and a designer-filled wardrobe, according to the Miss USA website.

Miss USA chose to host the competition at the Grand Sierra Resort & Casino in Reno in honor of former Miss USA Cheslie Kryst, who died by suicide at age 30 earlier this year.

Kryst was crowned Miss USA at this venue in 2019.