| Translate This News In |
|---|
The United States’ R’Bonney Gabriel was named Miss Universe this morning, disqualifying India’s Divita Rai, who had secured a place in the top 16. Other competitors in the top 3 included Venezuela and the Dominican Republic.
The winner from the previous year, Harnaaz Sandhu of India, entered the stage and crowned Ms Gabriel.
The new Miss Universe is USA!!! #MISSUNIVERSE pic.twitter.com/7vryvLV92Y
— Miss Universe (@MissUniverse) January 15, 2023
Ms Rai, 25, who had won Miss Diva Universe the year before, came in third place in 2021 and lost to Ms Sandhu. Only two other Indians, actors Sushmita Sen (1994) and Lara Dutta (2000), have captured the Miss Universe crown.
Ms. Rai, who was born in Mangaluru, Karnataka, said that the “ethereal image of India as the golden bird, which is a sign of wealth of our rich cultural history together with the spiritual essence of living in harmony with variety,” served as the inspiration for her “Sone ki Chidiya” outfit.
