R'Bonney Gabriel reflects on early 'Project Runway' exit
MANILA, Philippines — Miss Universe 2022 R'Bonney Gabriel, the first Filipino-American titleholder, is taking her early elimination from "Project Runway" Season 22 in stride.
The beauty queen-fashion designer was previously announced as one of 22 contestants in the reality series' biggest edition to date, facing judges Heidi Klum, Nina Garcia, Law Roach and Season 4 winner Christian Siriano.
R'Bonney entered the competition not just with her pageant experience but with a background in sustainable fashion having obtained a bachelor's degree in fashion design with a minor in fibers, skills she bannered in the show's premiere.
The Fil-Am, however, did not impress the judges and guest Tyra Banks during the premiere episode with her upcycled denim look and landed in the bottom.
Tyra said R'Bonney's look was "good, but what we're looking for is great" and "breaking out of something that is safe," calling her design wearable but not inspiring.
Heidi later added that what R'Bonney presented was "too boring," and the beauty queen later reflected on what had transpired in an Instagram video while putting on makeup.
R'Bonney said she made that specific, significant design to teach a sewing workshop to San Francisco youth in partnership with a charity organization, reiterating her passion for upcycling as a big advocate of sustainable fashion.
She admitted second-guessing the design, a decision she made quickly ahead of the season after going through other designs in her head, like a denim quilted dress from 2018, a favorite dress she had made in college, and a seashell dress made from actual Philippine mussels modeled by Miss Universe Philippines 2024 Chelsea Manalo.
Another thing R'Bonney considered was marketability as she believes other women, even Heidi, would wear her denim outfit.
"That denim design that I love so much got me in the bottom, the judges were not impressed," the designer continued. "Not gonna lie, I was doubting the decision I made [like] 'Why didn't I bring something made maybe a little more impressive?"
The rarely tearful R'Bonney also admitted to shedding tears and wished she had given a better performance despite standing by what she presented.
The premiere episode ended on a cliffhanger but it was later revealed that R'Bonney was indeed eliminated along with five other contestants, including "RuPaul's Drag Race" Season 16 competitors Plane Jane and Q.
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