R’Bonney Nola Gabriel is an American fashion designer, model, host, and beauty queen who was born on March 20, 1994, in Houston. She is of Filipino and American heritage, as her father is originally from Manila in the Philippines while her mother is from Texas. Raised in Missouri City and later Friendswood, Texas, she grew up alongside her three older brothers. Gabriel graduated from the University of North Texas with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Fashion Design and a minor in fibers. Growing up in Texas, she has been associated with English-speaking American culture while also embracing her Filipino roots and heritage. Her Instagram account, @rbonneynola, has over 1M+ followers.
R’Bonney Gabriel’s professional career began in fashion, inspired by her mother and grandmother, who both sewed and altered clothing. She developed a passion for designing garments at a young age and later launched her own sustainable fashion label, R’Bonney Nola, focusing on eco-friendly and recycled materials. She has worked as a fashion designer, sewing instructor, and model while advocating for sustainability in the fashion industry. Gabriel also taught sewing skills to women, including survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking, using fashion as a tool for empowerment and education. Her sustainable designs and commitment to ethical fashion helped establish her reputation beyond the pageant world.
Her pageant career accelerated when she competed in local and state-level competitions before winning Miss Texas USA 2022. She then captured the Miss USA 2022 title, becoming the first Filipino American woman to win that crown. Representing the United States at Miss Universe 2022, held in New Orleans in January 2023, Gabriel won the international title and became the first American winner in a decade. Her victory was historic because she became the oldest contestant ever crowned Miss Universe at the time and the ninth delegate from the United States to earn the title. During her reign, she traveled internationally, participated in humanitarian initiatives, promoted sustainability, and served as an ambassador for various charitable and educational causes. In addition to modeling and fashion design, she has worked as a public speaker and host while continuing to advocate for environmental responsibility and cultural representation.
In her personal life, Gabriel frequently shares content related to travel, fashion, culture, wellness, and environmental awareness. She has spoken about the importance of embracing Filipino culture and encouraging greater representation and diversity. Outside of her public appearances, she enjoys creative design work, sewing, journaling, fitness activities, and spending time with family and friends. Her social media presence reflects a blend of fashion, sustainability, personal growth, and cultural pride. Publicly available information has not confirmed a marriage, and she generally keeps much of her private relationship life out of the spotlight.