16
January
2023
by Priya Bhardwaj

Post-Pageant Analysis of Miss Universe 2022

16 Jan 2023 | Priya Bhardwaj

Miss Universe United States of America North America

The 71st edition of Miss Universe was held on 14th January 2023 at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana where USA’s R’Bonney Gabriel won the Miss Universe 2022 crown. She bested 83 other delegates to win the crown as she was crowned by Miss Universe 2021 Harnaaz Sandhu of India.

This edition saw a lot of firsts; it was the first edition held under the ownership JKN Global Group, it was United States' first victory in 10 years and the first edition for the ‘Force for Good’ crown. It was also the first time Laos made it to Top 16 under Payengxa Lor’s delegation. For Curacao, Gabriela dos Santos placed in the Top 5 which broke a 25-year-old drought record.

 

 

The finale began with opening dresses introduction with a well-lit stage. The finale was held in the Top 16 – Top 5 – Top 3 – Winner format. The Top 16 delegates competed anew in the swimsuit and evening gown rounds.

The finale saw performances from Big Freedia, Amanda Shaw, Big Sam's Funky Nation, Tank & the Bangas, and Yolanda Adams. The edition was hosted by Miss Universe 2012 Olivia Culpo and Emmy-award winner Jeannie Mai Jenkins, with Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray and Zuri Hall as anchor/backstage commentators.

 

 

Moreover, Miss Universe Philippines 2022 Celeste Rabimbi Cortesi failed to make it to the Top 16, breaking the country's longest semifinal streak at 12. The delegates from Thailand, Cambodia, Bahrain, Germany, Great Britain did not make it to the Top 16 who were front-runners at the beginning of the competition.

At the end of event finale, R’Bonney Gabriel of USA was crowned Miss Universe 2022. The win was all the more special because R’Bonney was under fire for months for allegations of favoritism when she was crowned Miss USA 2022. Her court includes Amanda Dudamel of Venezuela and Andreina Martinez of Dominican Republic as runners-up. Interestingly, the Top 2 this year are both fashion designers. Top 5 also included Gabriela dos Santos of Curacao and Ashley Cariño of Puerto Rico. All top five queens hail from the Americas - North, Central and South.