Miss USA 2022: Texas wins its 10th national title!

Harnaaz Sandhu, the 70th Miss Universe, was a VIP guest at the event.

Miss Texas R’Bonney Gabriel became the 10th woman from her state to win the Miss USA title. She is also the 3rd Filipina American to be crowned Miss USA. Macel Wilson, Miss USA 1962, and Brook Lee, Miss USA 1997, also had Filipino blood running in their veins. Lee went on to win the Miss Universe title, also in 1997. She also happens to be the oldest Miss USA at the crowning moment.

Gabriel, a 28-year-old fashion designer from San Antonio, Texas, will represent the U.S. at the 71st Miss Universe competition, on January 15th, in New Orleans. Gabriel said she designed her dress to pay tribute to her heritage and parents.

“My mom is from Beaumont, Texas, and my father is from the Philippines,” Gabriel wrote in an Instagram post. “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.”

The 1st runner-up was Miss North Carolina, Morgan Romano; the 2nd runner-up was Miss Nebraska, Natalie Pieper. Sir'Quora Carroll from Ohio placed as 3rd runner-up, and Angel Reyes, from Illinois, was the 4th runner-up.

FOLLOW OUR NEW ACCOUNTS ON INSTAGRAM @GLOBALBEAUTIESGRANDSLAM

AND ON TWITTER @GBGRANDSLAMNEWS