For the first time since being crowned Miss Universe earlier this month, winner R’Bonney Gabriel is finally addressing rumours the competition was rigged in her favour.
The Texas-born woman – who will hand over her Miss USA crown to her successor – has revealed that she felt “hurt” by suggestions that she did not “earn” the title.
R’Bonney was crowned in a glittering ceremony in New Orleans on 15 January 2023. However, her win has been clouded by controversy, with many claiming her runners-up, Miss Venezuela and Miss Dominican Republic, were more “deserving.”
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R’BONNEY GABRIEL: ‘ANOTHER DAY, ANOTHER RUMOUR’
Responding to the widespread allegations, R’Bonney Gabriel said in a statement: “You know, I have to be honest, it is very hurtful. It’s very disheartening because I have put my heart and soul into it. And I hope people can see that. However, in this competition, I know there are always rumors that can start.
“Sometimes I’m like, ‘It’s another day, another rumor,’ and you have to take it with a grain of salt. I’ve been through this before because I won Miss USA. That was in the public eye, and there were rigging allegations proven false as well”.
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She continued: “I really learned to just kind of focus my energy inward, and I realized that at the end of the day, I have to be grateful for this opportunity. And I feel like the more successful you are, the more the world sees you. There will always be people that try to bring you down.
“Being in the public eye, I think this is a great opportunity to show resiliency and to just keep moving forward. I’m focused on my end goal. I’m focused on being successful and being positive in a world of negativity”.
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MISS UNIVERSE ORGANISERS RESPOND TO ALLEGATIONS
Meanwhile, the Miss Universe organisation – owned by Thailand-based media company JKN Global Group – has claimed the allegations are nothing more than fake news.
It said in a statement: “The false rigging allegations are absurd and distract from the incredible milestones our organization and the delegates experienced this weekend.”
It continued: “Instead of focusing on unfounded statements, we will continue to shine a light on global women’s empowerment, inclusiveness, diversity, and transformational leadership.”
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Miss Universe CEO Anne Jakapong also issued a statement on her personal Instagram account. Turning off follower comments, she posted: “The rules and judges were fair and equitable. Each Miss Universe contestant was measured on her own merits in the competition.”
The transgender businesswoman added: “Not everyone can win the competition, but everyone gets an equal chance of winning”.
