Miss Universe R’Bonney Gabriel Shares Swimsuit Photos From Honduras

Miss Universe 2022 R’Bonney Gabriel is singing the praises of Honduras after enjoying a cruise vacation in the beautiful country. Gabriel, 29, shared pictures of her trip on Instagram, highlighting the beauty of Roatán’s stunning sea and skies. The model posted snaps of herself looking gorgeous in a blue one-piece cut-out swimsuit, lounging on a deck and enjoying delicious food and drinks with friends. “Almost missed our call time to get back on the ship because I did not want to leave this beautiful place 🇭🇳,” she captioned the post. Gabriel made history as the first Filipino-American to win the title—here’s how she did it.

1. Same Meals Every Day

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Gabriel works out with a trainer and lifts heavy weights, and eats the same thing every day. "Every day I have oatmeal and two eggs in the morning," she says. "And then lunchtime is shrimp and green beans. And then there’s a snack in between. There are rice cakes – I always have rice cakes in my purse or my car… And then dinner is salmon and veggies. I stay consistent with that almost every day… Even when I was traveling somewhere, I would meal plan and bring [my food] on the plane in a big cooler."

2. Role Model

Gabriel takes great pride in being a role model for younger Filipino-Americans. “I’m actually the first Filipina American Miss USA and since I won, there are little girls that message me, they say they see themselves in me,” she says. “I need girls to believe in themselves, and diversity just makes every[body] feel seen ‘cause we all wanna feel seen and heard at the end of the day.”

3. Lots of Self-Tanner

Gabriel had to get used to using industrial amounts of self-tanner when taking part in the pageant. "I use self-tanner, which is something that was kind of new to me before pageants," she says. "When you put a fake spray tan on, if you wash your body or if you shower, it comes off. So during the competition, it’s two weeks long. I get my spray tan right before I check in. I want to preserve it all the way until finals two weeks later. I only showered a few times, which is kind of gross If you think about it because we’re beauty queens. We’re supposed to be so clean and glamorous. But by the time finals come around, I feel so dirty because I’ve only showered a few times. I’m really trying to preserve my spray tan."

4. Pizza and Ice Cream For Self-Care

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Gabriel is allowing herself some rest and relaxation after winning the competition. “My current version of self-care is treating myself to pizza and ice cream,” she says. “When my life gets more stable, self-care will involve going for walks in the morning, doing yoga, and journaling. I keep a journal with me wherever I go and like to write down five things I'm grateful for, no matter how hectic my schedule is. That keeps me centered.”

5. Fashion Dreams

Gabriel’s passion for fashion started at a young age. “I loved looking at Vogue magazine and seeing the creative editorials,” she says. “I also grew up going to the thrift store with my mom. I would find vintage pieces, and my mom would take them home and make new pieces for me. One time we purchased a puffy purple dress. It was an adult size, but she transformed it into my Halloween costume. Seeing her transform that piece inspired me, and I started making my own pieces. I fell in love with working with my hands and making something my own.”

From their disciplined workout regimes to holistic self-care routines, Miss Universe winners are known for their dedication to wellness and beauty. While their radiant appearances captivate audiences worldwide, the secrets behind their glow are often grounded in health, mindfulness, and self-love. Here we delve into the personal stories and unique regimens of these accomplished women. From current reigning queen R’bonney Gabriel to the trailblazing Lorraine Downes, each beauty reveals her approach to a balanced and vibrant life. Join us as we uncover the varied and inspiring journeys of these global icons.

1. R’bonney Gabriel

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Current reigning Miss Universe, R’bonney Gabriel shared some of her wellness secrets with Forbes. “I always start my day with a quick yoga session and a morning walk for cardio and hit the gym if one is available. I always look for meals that stay within my meal plan-which is oatmeal and eggs in the morning, shrimp and green beans for lunch, and salmon and asparagus for dinner. I do my best on finding meals similar to that without being too hard on myself if I am unable to stick to it. I usually allow myself to have 1-3 pieces of chocolate or caramel rice cakes in my purse to munch on anytime or anywhere.”

2. Olivia Culpo

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2012 Miss Universe, Olivia Culpo shared her skincare secrets with Byrdie. “I spend quite a bit of time at night on my skincare routine, and in the morning, I just apply an SPF. I am always trying out new products, so what I gravitate toward is often changing. At night, I usually use an oil and a serum. Right now, I love the Clarins Double Serum ($90). In the morning, I use a Vitamin C serum and an SPF, and, typically, I just rinse my skin with warm water instead of using a cleanser. It is something I swear by—it allows for the oils on my skin from sleeping to absorb naturally.”

3. Andrea Meza

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2020 Miss Universe, Andrea Meza, revealed on Instagram that she is working on living a healthier life. “It's been 6 weeks since I started a change in my life,” she wrote. “I had stopped exercising for about a year, I was weak, my body hurt constantly and I didn't feel like myself! Despite my crazy schedules, I committed to loving myself more and returning to what makes me happy. It's been 6 weeks training with @le.trainer and I'm super motivated, happy, I feel strong, I have a lot more energy and I'm going for more.”

4. Catriona Gray

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Catriona Gray won Miss Universe in 2018. She likes to eat healthy, and even cooks some of her own meals. Gray said in an interview, “I love to cook. Because you know exactly what’s going in your food. You can make it exactly how you like it.”

5. Pia Wurtzbach

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2015 Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach makes sure to workout everyday. She tells Pep.PH, “If I can do it daily, I would. If the schedule permits, I do it every day. I try to do it in the morning, so then it's out of the way and I can continue on with my day. If not, then I'll do a few times a week, but definitely, I try to do it."

6. Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters

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2017 Miss Universe, Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters likes to do a variety of workouts. She shared what she typically does in a week with Us Weekly. “My week usually goes Monday, a leg workout in the gym; Tuesday, cardio — running in the park; Wednesday, abs and arms; Thursday, I work in some type of cardio, usually a boxing class; Friday, I do a full body workout at the gym; Saturday, a run in the park and Sunday rest!”

7. Natalie Glebova

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Natalie Glebova isn’t just a former Miss Universe, she’s also a writer and blogger. In this post, Glebova shared the importance of having a routine. “During times of uncertainty, the best thing you can do is follow a routine. Why? Because having a routine in place, makes our minds feel secure and safe. We are just programmed this way. If you are finding that your sleep is not as deep or restful as it used to be, try going to bed at the same time and wake up at the same time. This is really key! Sleep experts agree that you must implement a strict sleep/wake rhythm.”

8. Jennifer Hawkins

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2004 Miss Universe Jennifer Hawkins opened up about her diet to 9Honey. She says that she follows the 80/20 rule. “I just can't [eat healthily] all the time. It's so boring.” Hawkins also shared some of her favorite foods. "I eat a lot more fats now. I love eating coconut oil, olive oil, even butter. I have eggs, fried eggs. I have a lot of olive oil on that … I'll cook some spinach and put butter all over that, with salt and avocado.”

9. Harnaaz Sandhu

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In an interview with The Indian Express, Harnaaz Sandhu talked about her struggles with her weight and confidence. “I was bullied for gaining weight. It was kind of uncomfortable and really surprising for me to see how people started having their opinions, which should not really matter. It’s not about how you look, it’s about who you are from inside and how you treat people and what you believe in.”

10. Iris Mittenaere

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2016 Miss Universe Iris Mittenaere talked about her workouts in an interview with People. She says that she exercises regularly, even when she’s on the road. “When I travel, I try to work out before I go to bed,” she says. “I’ll do 10 minutes of abs one day and 10 minutes of butt the next day. There’s a lot of videos on YouTube, and I use 10 minutes to do one part of my body.”

11. Zozibini Tunzi

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2019 Miss Universe, Zozibini Tunzi likes to do Pilates to keep herself in shape. She shared this photo on Instagram of herself taking her first class. Tunzi captioned it, "This morning was so much fun! Feeling a little jetlagged, I went for a @pilateson7th class for a little rejuvenation. I did not expect Pilates to be so challenging, but so much fun!”

12. Leila Lopes

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Leila Lopes won Miss Universe in 2011. She revealed in the caption of this Instagram post that she works with a nutritionist and her approach to eating. “Thanks to my nutritionist @claramonteironutricionista for helping me keep in shape the best way possible.

Today I can say I don't diet, but I do choices. And I choose to eat healthy!!! Thank you for accompanying me to attend me at any time of the day. Thank you for teaching me to eat right because the benefits of my good diet are reflected not only in my shape but also in my hair and skin.”

13. Lara Dutta

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In addition to being Miss Universe 2000, Lara Dutta is also an actress. She shared her wellness secrets in an interview with Vogue. “There are no shortcuts to a healthy life! You have to work at it, you have to enjoy it. For me, fitness is just one part of wellness—I find that to be a more holistic way to describe how I lead my life. Fitness is about a fit body, how you look and of course it improves your health. Wellness goes beyond this and is also about how you ‘feel' and how you think.”

14. Paulina Vega

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Paulina Vega works with trainer Juan Cubaque to help her stay in shape. Specifically, he helped her prep for the Miss Universe pageant. Cubaque opened up about Vega’s training process in an interview with Caracol television. "The preparation was a double day's work. One day of exercises in the morning and another at night, for 5 days a week. You can imagine the discipline and effort.”

15. Gabriela Isler

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Gabriela Isler has her own blog, where she talks about her life and wellness secrets. In this post, she wrote about dealing with negativity. “It is too exhausting to try to please the entire world, oh no! That paralyzes you, you lose your life trying to answer their questions; changing your plans and ideas so that others applaud them; wanting to live up to their expectations without being honest with your own; demanding you give answers that very few deserve; torturing yourself every night thinking that you are not enough, or that your talent and abilities have no value or space to shine in the eyes of others, etc.”

16. Ximena Navarrete

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Ximena Navarrete shared her skincare routine in an interview with Glamour. “It is important to be well hydrated, use sunscreen, remove makeup before going to sleep and of course have a product that is reliable and brings out the best in my skin. In my case, since I tried SENS by VIVRI, I won't change it for anything! It is essential for any woman to have a great ally who leaves her skin beautiful, healthy and young.”

17. Stefania Fernandez

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Stefania Fernandez opened up about her wellness routine after having her first child on Instagram. “I have been looking for moments of 20 minutes – 45 minutes to dedicate to my body, soul and spirit for two months – and I am grateful to get those spaces and draw strength sometimes where I don't have them, because as you know, my baby will soon be 4 months old. and even the late nights are hard. Every sacrifice is worth it. I am a faithful believer that a full mind, body and spirit also translates into giving the best to my baby, and if I give the best everything translates to a happy baby.”

18. Zuleyka Rivera

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Zuleyka Rivera won Miss Universe in 2006. She shared some of her beauty secrets in an interview. Rivera says that she’s all about self-love. "The most important thing is to love yourself, to have a fairly high self-esteem, to be able to look in the mirror and say 'I'm so happy with the person I am.’”

19. Sushmita Sen

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Sushmita Sen works with trainer Nupur Shikhare to help her stay in shape. Shikhare talked about working with Sen to Vogue. “What really characterises Sushmita Sen is her drive and enthusiasm for trying out new things. She is extremely clued into the latest workouts and I constantly have her coming up with new innovations that she'd like to incorporate into her regimen. She spends hours researching new techniques in minute detail, and often breaks them down and tries them out on her own to figure out how they work for her/”

20. Lorraine Downes

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In an interview with The New Zealand Herald, Lorraine Downes opened up about her self-care after losing her partner. “I choose to be happy, I choose to have joy in my life, I choose to find joy in my life…I believe that when you do that and you’re having that mindset, you will find it. That’s what I want, so I can keep enjoying life.”

Manuela Alvarez Hernandez is one of the hot new models right now. In 2019, she was one of Sports Illustrated’s SI Swim Search winners. And her recent Instagram post proves why she got the job. Hernandez shared a set of photos from the beach. She wore a bunch of different swimsuits, including one in yellow, one in orange, and one in black. Hernandez captioned the post, “Leaving these here just before summer ends.” How does she stay so fit? Read on to see 5 ways Manuela Alvarez Hernandez stays in shape and the photos that prove they work.

1. She Wants To Inspire Others

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Hernandez wants to be an inspiration for other Latina models. She talked about this in an interview with HOLA USA, after winning the SI Swim Search. “It’s an honor,” she said. “And for me, it’s huge because coming from Medellin and moving to the U.S., I didn’t really think that my life was going to take this direction. The fact that I’m following my dreams, and I get to be myself and represent Latinas is truly an honor.”

2. She Changed Her Diet and Exercise

Hernandez talked about how she prepped for the SI shoot to HOLA USA. “I knew that the day of the shoot I wanted to feel my best and feel confident,” she said. “A few weeks before, I did work out a lot. I would go to the gym once or twice a day every single day. I tried to cut out dairy, meat and tried to have mainly a plant-based diet. It was really hard for me just because I love food. I love pizza; I love carbs. It really did take a lot for me to restrain myself from eating meat and all the fried foods and all the good stuff. That’s probably the best shape I’ve been in in my life.”

3. She Prioritized Education

At the 2019 SI Swimsuit On Location event in Miami, Hernandez revealed to a reporter that she put school ahead of her modeling dreams. “It honestly feels like a crazy dream,” Hernandez said. “It’s insane to see that it’s becoming a reality and I’m living it. Honestly, I’m really glad that I went to school and got my degree and that now I have the chance to do modeling all the time. Now I’m in LA, so it’s honestly just been amazing.”

4. She Swims

As you can see from her recent Instagram post, Hernandez likes to go to the beach. One thing she likes to do there is swim. She shared this video on Instagram of herself running into the water. Hernandez captioned the post, “I love this feeling.” Better Health states that, “Swimming is a great recreational activity for people of all ages. Recreational swimming can provide you with a low-impact workout and it's a good way to relax and feel good.”

5. She Skis

Swimming isn’t the only outdoor workout Hernandez likes to do. She also enjoys going skiing. Hernandez shared this set of photos and videos of herself on the slopes of Big Bear Mountain. She captioned the post, “A fun day on the mountain.” SkiCanada.org states, “It’s well documented that skiing and snowboarding benefits cardiovascular health, overall fitness, strength, coordination, balance and more. Regardless of your health and fitness goals, strapping on a pair of skis or a snowboard is sure to fulfill some of them. Due to the versatility of skiing and snowboarding, it can encompass the benefits of a cardio workout, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) session, and strength training session, all in one fun activity.”