By Cedie Lazaro
Let’s be real: getting cut first on national TV is the ultimate fashion nightmare. When R’Bonney Gabriel packed up her shears during week one of Project Runway Season 22 back in July, she openly admitted she was gutted, frustrated, and totally embarrassed. But if you thought she was going to hide out in her studio, think again. Less than two months later, the designer and Miss Universe 2022 traded the reality TV sweatshop for the ultimate Hollywood upgrade.
READ: From Miss Universe to the Runway: R’Bonney Gabriel Opens Up About Shocking Project Runway Exit
On Saturday, September 5, 2026, R’Bonney made a major power move, stepping out as one of the presenters on Night 1 of the 78th Emmy Awards at Los Angeles’ Peacock Theater. Rubbing shoulders with the TV elite—including Julianne Hough and Ariana Madix—she proved that one bad week on a reality TV show doesn’t define your career.
She Brought the High-Fashion Receipts
While R’Bonney is a killer designer herself, she chose to use her Emmy moment to model pure luxury, hitting the carpet in a jaw-dropping white mermaid gown by Tess Mann Atelier.
The dress was equal parts clean geometry and pure drama, boasting sharp, architectural cutouts across the bodice, flawless side-draping, and a sweeping, floor-length train that practically glided down the carpet. Styled to perfection with pulled-back hair and ice-cold diamonds, the look was a walking, breathing reminder to those Project Runway judges that her style status is entirely untouchable.
Owning the Microphone
Talk about a total shift in power dynamics. Just weeks ago, R’Bonney was a contestant standing nervously under a spotlight, waiting for a panel to judge her. At the Emmys, she was the one commanding the microphone, handing out awards for artistic and technical achievements in unscripted and reality television.
Naturally, she took to Instagram to keep it a hundred with her fans. Posting a clip from the night, she joked about going from the first one sent home to presenting at the Emmys. She reminded her followers that a massive “no” is often just a detour to something way bigger, encouraging everyone to keep taking risks even when it gets messy.
Catch the Moment
Want to watch her absolute star turn? The full Creative Arts ceremony airs Saturday, September 12, 2026, on FXX, and will hit Hulu for streaming the very next day.
If this weekend proved anything, it’s that R’Bonney Gabriel doesn’t need a reality TV crown to rule the room. She just needs the right vision, a killer eye for couture, and the confidence to take up space on her own terms. Consider the mic thoroughly dropped. Presenting at the Emmys proves that our girl is indeed a TV star.
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