Miss Universe 2023 R’Bonney Gabriel will have a special homecoming celebration in Houston, Texas, in March.
According to Pageant Circle, the celebration is slated to be held on March 18. Supporters will have the opportunity to celebrate with the Filipino American pageant queen at Hilton Houston Post Oak.
Gabriel was born in Houston to a Filipino father and a White mother. She grew up primarily in Missouri City and Friendswood. She represented Texas at the 2022 Miss USA pageant.
The 28-year-old was the first person Filipino American to win the Miss USA pageant. She has her own sustainable fashion brand and has made several of her dresses for pageant competitions, including Miss USA and Miss Universe.
Shortly after the competition, Miss USA contestants accused the organization of rigging the competition in Gabriel’s favor. The Miss USA organization and Gabriel have maintained that the competition was not rigged.
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Gabriel was forced to prepare for the Miss Universe competition without the support of Miss USA because of the allegations. She has been trying not to let the allegations and subsequent cyberbullying get to her.
“This is an opportunity to show the world [that] even when negativity comes your way — I think we all experience a little internet hate here and there — to not let it get to you,” she told People. “And I think that this is a great opportunity for me to set an example.”
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