A new queen has been crowned Miss USA.
Miss Texas R’Bonney Gabriel walked away a winner during the Oct. 3 competition at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, Nev. Miss North Carolina Morgan Romano was awarded runner-up followed by Miss Nebraska Natalie Pieper.
During the ceremony, 2021 Miss USA titleholder Elle Smith gracefully passed down the crown, marking the end of her reign. Just yesterday, Elle reflected on her time with the title by sharing a message with a photo of her crowning last year.
“The moment that changed my life forever,” Elle wrote on Instagram Oct. 2. “Class of 2021, I hope I made you proud.”
Now, the sparkling piece is in the hands of R’Bonney—a fashion designer with plenty to be learned about her.
R’Bonney made history as a titleholder by being the first Asian American woman to earn the Miss Texas USA title, per ABC News. She was also the first Filipina-American to hold the title.
