By Cedie Lazaro
The fashion world was dealt a surprising twist as Miss Universe 2022 R’Bonney Gabriel’s journey on Project Runway Season 22 came to an abrupt halt. Fans watched as the designer and former beauty queen was eliminated following the show’s intense “Redemption Look” challenge. Although her eye for sustainability and intricate sewing skills are well-documented, her recycled denim ensemble failed to win over the judges, with Heidi Klum calling the piece “too boring” for the intense competition, and Tyra Banks noting that it lacked that crucial “inspirational” spark.
Read Why Tyra Banks’ Tough Love on Project Runway is the Wake-Up Call R’Bonney Gabriel Needs.
For Gabriel, who holds a degree in fashion design and poured her heart into the competition, the early departure was a tough pill to swallow. Following the airing of the first two episodes, she took to her personal platforms to get vulnerable with her followers about the emotional toll of the experience.
Reflecting on her swift exit, Gabriel penned a heartfelt and transparent message to her fans:
“By now, the first 2 episodes of Project Runway Season 22 has aired and sadly, it didn’t end the way I had hoped.
I was devastated that my journey ended so soon, and it took me along time to grieve and process being cut from the competition so soon. This experience reminded me that even when you’ve worked hard and poured so much into something, you don’t always get the results you feel you deserve.
We filmed in April, and once I got cut, I felt completely down and lost as to what to do next in life. I took a month to sit and not do much…which is something challenging for a busy body like me. After taking some serious needed time to reflect, I realized I can’t stay down forever and need to keep pouring into my passion for design.
As I look ahead, my focus is on continuing to grow my design brand, expanding my hosting and red carpet work, and strengthening the systems behind my business.
Despite the outcome, I honestly had so much fun being on the Project Runway sett!! I’ll be sharing more of my personal experience and thoughts on what happened through my Youtube and social channels. I hope my rejection can be a reminder that this happens to us all the time, and it’s all about how we chose to keep moving forward.”
What’s Next for the Former Miss Universe?
While the competition environment didn’t yield the results she was hoping for, Gabriel is channeling her pageant and fashion experience into the next chapter of her career. Fans can expect to see her continuing to build her sustainable fashion label, R’Bonney Nola, while also taking on more red carpet hosting and media opportunities.
Gabriel’s resilience proves that setbacks are just stepping stones. As she promises to share more exclusive behind-the-scenes thoughts on her YouTube Channel, she remains a powerful voice for sustainable fashion and continuous personal growth.
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