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NEW ORLEANS — R’Bonney Gabriel, a fashion designer, model and sewing instructor from Texas who competition officials said is the first Filipino American to win Miss USA, was crowned Miss Universe on Saturday night.
Gabriel closed her eyes and clasped hands with runner-up Miss Venezuela, Amanda Dudamel, at the moment of the dramatic reveal of the winner, then beamed after her name was announced.
Thumping music rang out, and she was handed a bouquet of flowers, draped in the winner’s sash and crowned with a tiara onstage at the 71st Miss Universe Competition, held in New Orleans.
In the Q&A at the last stage of the competition for the three finalists, Gabriel was asked how she would work to demonstrate Miss Universe is “an empowering and progressive organization” if she were to win.
“I would use it to be a transformational leader,” she responded, citing her work using recycled materials in her fashion design and teaching sewing to survivors of human trafficking and domestic violence. “It is so important to invest in others, invest in our community and use your unique talent to make a difference.”
Rights to the pageant — once partly owned by former President Donald Trump — were bought last year by a Thai business tycoon and transgender activist for $20 million from IMG Worldwide LLC, a New York-based sports and talent marketing company.
Chakrapong “Anne” Chakrajutathib, who controls JKN Global Group Public Co. Ltd., is a reality show star in Thailand who is outspoken about being a transgender woman.
Chakrajutathib said when the purchase was announced in October that she wanted to “evolve the brand for the next generation.”
According to Miss Universe, Gabriel is a former high school volleyball player and graduate of the University of North Texas. A short bio posted on the organization’s website said she is also CEO of her own sustainable clothing line.
“We all have something special, and when we plant those seeds to other people in our life, we transform them and we use that as a vehicle for change,” Gabriel said.
Nearly 90 contestants from around the world took part in the competition, organizers said, involving “personal statements, in depth interviews and various categories including evening gown & swimwear.”
The second runner-up was Miss Dominican Republic, Andreina Martinez.
Miss Curacao, Gabriela Dos Santos, and Miss Puerto Rico, Ashley Carino, rounded out the top five finalists.
Last year’s winner was Harnaaz Sandhu of India.
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Fellow rock legends are paying tribute to Jeff Beck, the guitar virtuoso and musical innovator who died Wednesday. Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page, who was also a Yardbirds bandmate and close friend of Beck, called him a “six-stringed warrior” with a “limitless” imagination. Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi called Beck “distinctively brilliant.” Kiss singer and guitarist Paul Stanley says Beck “blazed a trail impossible to follow.” Kinks guitarist Dave Davies and Whitesnake singer David Coverdale both said they are heartbroken over Beck’s death. Rod Stewart credited Beck with bringing him and Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood to the U.S. and that they “never looked back” after that.
SAN DIEGO — With all families, there comes a time when children reach a certain age and have to move out on their own. Frank and Monroe were at that age, and things were getting a little uncomfortable at home. They moved out Dec. 6 and are sharing a bachelor pad not far from their family. The pair are western lowland gorillas, and they seem to feel at home in their new habitat at the San …
Lisa Marie Presley, the only child of Elvis Presley and a singer-songwriter dedicated to her father’s legacy, died Thursday after being hospitalized for a medical emergency. She was 54. Presley’s death was confirmed by her mother, Priscilla, who called her daughter “the most passionate, strong and loving woman I have ever known.” Presley, the only child of Elvis and Priscilla Presley, shared her father’s brooding charisma. She followed him professionally, releasing her own rock albums in the 2000s, and appearing on stage with Pat Benatar and Richard Hawley among others. She was married four times, including to Michael Jackson and Nicolas Cage. She had four children.
Squalls of indignation gust across campuses so frequently that they seem merely performative — synthetic, perfunctory, uninteresting. Princeto…
Self-described shy girl Julia Wolf is coming out of the shadows on her major label debut “Good Thing We Stayed.” Blending hip-hop beats and a folk-influenced lilt to her voice, Wolf displays world-slaying potential on singles like “Hot Killer” and “Get Off My.” Associated Press reviewer Jim Pollock says in the quieter moments she emerges as an artist to watch. Wolf’s collaborations with writer-producer Jackson Foote keeps the songs short and punchy, a tight-knit collection of darkness, self-discovery and humor. The final song, “Rookie of the Year,” reveals a broader range to come in future work. The album is out Friday.
BALTIMORE — Stroke by stroke, the brush glides over canvas, creating scenes that few could do by hand. Except that this artist, Robert Florio, paints by mouth. The quadriplegic Glen Burnie, Maryland, resident wields a brush attached to a mouthpiece, and paints by swiveling his head and neck — about the only parts of his body that will do as he asks. It’s painstaking work for Florio, 40, who …
Just months after being celebrated at the Kennedy Center, Joni Mitchell will return to Washington for another lifetime achievement honor, the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. The 79-year-old Mitchell is widely regarded as among the greatest singer-songwriters of her time. Her best known works include “Chelsea Morning,” “Big Yellow Taxi” and “Free Man in Paris.” Mitchell will be honored at a tribute concert airing March 31 on PBS stations. Previous winners of the Gershwin prize include Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder and Carole King.
John Legend and Chrissy Teigen have welcomed their third baby. Legend revealed at a private concert on Friday that his cookbook author wife gave birth earlier in the day, People reported, two years after Teigen was forced to undergo a life-saving abortion. “What a blessed day,” Legend said, according to People. The newborn’s age and name were not immediately revealed. Despite a lack of sleep …
LOS ANGELES — Dr. Mariell Jessup, chief science and medical officer of the American Heart Association, said she couldn’t say for sure what caused Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin’s heart to stop during an NFL game Monday night. But she was sure of one thing: “Everyone needs to know how to do CPR.” Hamlin’s sudden collapse has been traumatic for his family, his team and athletes in general. …
Editor’s note: Regular columnist Jeff Schapiro is away. We are running George Will’s column in his place this week.
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