Miss USA R’Bonney Nola Is Crowned Miss Universe 2022, India's Divita Rai Misses Out

USA’s R'Bonney Gabriel has won the Miss Universe 2022 title! The diva was crowned by Miss Universe 2021 Harnaaz Sandhu at the grand finale of the 71st edition of Miss Universe. The event was held in New Orleans, USA, on January 15. Miss Dominican Republic Andreina Martinez bagged the 2nd Runner-up spot, the 1st Runner-up spot was won by Miss Venezuela Amanda Dudamel. India's Divita Rai was part of top 16 but missed out on the beauty pageant.

R'Bonney Gabriel dazzled in a sparkling gown at the Miss Universe 2022 finale event. She wore a crystal-embellished gown and styled it with statement jewels. Harnaaz Sandhu, who brought the Miss Universe title to India after almost a decade in 2021, glowed in a dazzling black gown with an ornate train as she crowned her successor at the event. She also rocked a traditional lehenga as she made an appearance on the stage at the grand finale.

Miss Universe 2022 is the 71st Miss Universe pageat that took place at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States.

Miss Universe 2021 Harnaaz Sandhu of India crowned her successor at the hugely anticipated event. Contestants from over 84 countries participated and competed at this year's pageant. The pageant was hosted by Jeannie Mai and Miss Universe 2012 Olivia Cageantpulpo; Culpo also hosted the Miss Universe 2020 contest, while Mai last served as backstage host during Miss Universe 2014.

In the 70-year-old history of the contest, this is the first time that contest featured an all-female presenting panel. The 2022 edition also saw many firsts, like the debut of Bhutan, and the comeback of countries like Angola, Belize, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Myanmar, Saint Lucia, Seychelles, Switzerland, Trinidad and Tobago and Uruguay.

Seychelles previously competed in 1995, making this edition its first time competing after an absence of 27 years. Trinidad and Tobago last competed in 2017, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, and Switzerland last competed in 2018, and Angola and Saint Lucia last competed in 2019, while the others last competed in the year 2020. Denmark, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Kenya, Morocco, Romania, and Sweden withdrew after their respective organizations failed to hold a national competition or appoint a delegate.