Miss United States is the winner of Miss Universe 2023

2023-01-15T04:10:28.137Z

Miss United States, R'bonney Gabriel, is the winner of Miss Universe 2023. Amanda Dudamel, from Venezuela, is the viceroy. | Entertainment | CNN

Miss United States, R'Bonney Gabriel

(CNN Spanish) --

Miss United States, R'bonney Gabriel, is the winner of Miss Universe 2023.

The event took place this Saturday in New Orleans at the 71st Miss Universe pageant.

Amanda Dudamel, from Venezuela, is the viceroy.

The second runner-up was Miss Dominican Republic, Andreína Martinez.

The United States is the country whose representatives have won the contest the most times: 9 times in total.

Venezuela follows with 7.

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the 3 finalists

- United States 🇺🇸: R'bonney Gabriel

- Venezuela 🇻🇪: Amanda Dudamel

- Dominican Republic 🇩🇴: Andreína Martinez

the 5 finalists

- Venezuela 🇻🇪: Amanda Dudamel

- United States 🇺🇸: R'bonney Gabriel

- Puerto Rico 🇵🇷: Ashley Carino

- Curacao 🇨🇼: Arijana Podgajski

- Dominican Republic 🇩🇴: Andreína Martinez

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The three Miss Universe finalists: Venezuela, the United States and the Dominican Republic (Credit: Jason Kempin/Getty Images) →

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Miss United States, R'bonney Gabriel, is the new Miss Universe (Credit: Josh Brasted / Getty Images)

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Miss Venezuela, Amanda Dudamel, during one of the pageants of the 71st edition of Miss Universe in New Orleans.

(Credit: Josh Brasted/Getty Images)

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Miss Dominican Republic, Andreína Martinez.

She was second runner up.

(Credit: Josh Brasted/Getty Images)

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Miss Puerto Rico, Ashley Carino, was one of the five finalists.

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Miss Curacao, Arijana Podgajski, was one of the five finalists.

(Credit: Josh Brasted/Getty Images)

84 women competed in New Orleans

A total of 84 contestants participated in the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans on Saturday, according to the Miss Universe website.

PHOTOS |
The best photos of the preliminary competition of Miss Universe

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell said in a statement on the Miss Universe website that she was "honored" to host the pageant.

"The City of New Orleans and the Miss Universe Organization share common values tied to celebrating inclusion, culture and the empowerment of women," Cantrell said in the statement.

"Former Miss Universe delegates and winners have become surgeons, diplomats, politicians and business leaders, all championing social causes that are important to them. Hosting this event demonstrates the significant global impact that an international city like New Orleans has on the world's tourist and cultural stages," he continued.

"We are honored to host the 71st annual Miss Universe pageant and show people around the world why New Orleans is the best in the world for hosting major events, festivals, conferences and conventions with a culture that is absolutely unmatched."

The contest included personal statements, in-depth interviews, typical costumes, and swimsuit and evening dress contests.

Miss Colombia, Maria Fernanda Aristizabal parades the 71st Miss Universe National Costume Competition at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center on January 11, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

(Credit Josh Brasted/Getty Images)

The final winner was chosen by a selection committee made up of Miss Universe 2010 Ximena Navarrete, musician Big Freedia, model Mara Martin, Miss Universe 1998 Wendy Fitzwilliam, actress and model Emily Austin, skin care entrepreneur Olivia Quido, host and journalist Myrka Dellanos, author and VP of Marketing and Merchandising for Roku Sweta Patel, Miss USA 2015 Olivia Jordan and Marketing Executive Kathleen Ventrella.

Harnaaz Sandhu was in charge of crowning her successor

The competition closed with the previous Miss Universe, Harnaaz Sandhu, crowning her successor.

Sandhu was the first female representative from India to win the Miss Universe title in 21 years.

Sandhu clinched the title in southern Israel at the end of 2021. Eighty women participated in the competition, which was hosted by comedian Steve Harvey.

Sandhu is a strong advocate of menstrual equity, inspired by her mother's career as a gynecologist, according to the Miss Universe website.

She is also an actress and advocate for women's rights and fights for climate change awareness.

Jeannie Mai Jenkins and Olivia Culpo hosted this year's competition

Television host and stylist Jeannie Mai Jenkins was the host of this year's Miss Universe Competition alongside Olivia Culpo, who won Miss Universe in 2012.

"The only thing better than hosting the Miss Universe pageant tomorrow night is my lip sync," Jenkins wrote Friday, in an Instagram post in which she simulated singing a song.

Additionally, musicians Big Freedia, Big Sam's Funky Nation, Amanda Shaw, Tank and the Bangas, and Yolanda Adams performed at the competition this year, according to an Instagram post.

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Miss Colombia, Maria Fernanda Aristizabal, parades The 71st Miss Universe National Costume Competition at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center on January 11, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

(Credit Josh Brasted/Getty Images) →

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Miss Ukraine, Viktoriia Apanasenko.