Earlier this year, Houston native R’Bonney Gabriel made history when she became the first Filipina American to win the title of Miss Universe. Before she was a nationally recognized pageant champion, she was just a young girl growing up with her parents and three brothers in Missouri City. During her time as a student in Fort Bend ISD, Gabriel participated in band, yearbook, and volleyball. She graduated from Elkins High School. After high school, she attended the University of North Texas and graduated with a degree in fashion design.
Gabriel's love for fashion led her to become the lead sewing instructor at Houston’s Magpies & Peacocks. The nonprofit helps train and empower women who have gone through domestic abuse and human trafficking. As a teenager, Gabriel learned how to sew from a group of grandmothers in her neighborhood. Besides working at the nonprofit, she also started her own eco-friendly fashion line, R’Bonney Nola.
Gabriel said she wanted to enter into the pageant world to help with her communication skills. Last year, she became the first Asian American woman to win Miss Texas and then the first Filipina American to win Miss USA. Earlier this year, fellow contestants from the Miss USA pageant said that the competition was rigged in Gabriel’s favor. Miss Universe launched a third-party investigation, where they found no wrongdoing by the Miss USA judges.
As Miss Universe, she still aims to promote sustainable fashion. During a recent trip home to Houston, Gabriel said she was hoping to visit some of her favorite restaurants in the city, including Nancy’s Hustle and Gerry’s Grill in Bellaire.
Happy Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month! Throughout May, I’ll highlight Houston’s AAPI history. Do you have ideas? Email me.
