Miss Universe From US, India’s Divita Rai Misses Out

R’Bonney Gabriel from the US is new Miss Universe.

R’Bonney Gabriel from the US was crowned Miss Universe this morning as India’s Divita Rai, who had clinched a spot in top 16, missed out on the beauty pageant in New Orleans. Venezuela and the Dominican Republic were among the other contenders in the top 3.

The new Miss Universe is USA!!! #MISSUNIVERSEpic.twitter.com/7vryvLV92Y

— Miss Universe (@MissUniverse) January 15, 2023

Ms Rai, 25, had won the Miss Diva Universe pageant last year and finished third in 2021, losing to India’s Harnaaz Sandhu who had also won the previous edition of Miss Universe. Actors Sushmita Sen (1994) and Lara Dutta (2000) are the only other Indians who have won the Miss Universe title.

Born in Karnataka’s Mangaluru, Ms Rai’s ‘Sone ki Chidiya’ costume was inspired by the “ethereal portrayal of India as the golden bird which is a symbol of wealth of our rich cultural heritage along with the spiritual essence of living in harmony with diversity”.