The first Filipino American to be crowned Miss Texas USA. She went on to become the first Filipino-American Miss USA 2022, making her the American representative in the Miss Universe competition, where she indeed won the Miss Universe title.
Gabriel, 28, is a Harris County resident, and was previously crowned Miss Friendswood. Friendswood is a city on the outskirts of Houston.
Gabriel graduated from the University of North Texas in Denton in 2018, and now runs independent fashion label R’Bonney Nola in Houston. She also runs sewing classes through the non-profit organisation Magpies & Peacocks in the city.
For her interview with Miss Texas USA, Gabriel wore a Filipiniana dress (or Maria Clara gown) of her own design.
“I had to wear a design I made,” Gabriel wrote on Instagram, sharing a video of her production process.
