Zullay Sevilla, an Ecuadorian who worked with R’bonney Gabriel, the current Miss Universe

Luis F. Canarte

Especially for THE UNIVERSE

New Jersey, United States

Zullay Sevilla Valverde never imagined that she would be the one who would have the responsibility to beautify the new Miss Universe R’bonney Gabriel.

The Ecuadorian stylist and beautician, born in Milagro, was filled with emotions when she received the news that she would be the one to accompany the beauty queen on her return to New York and three states after the end of the election held in New Orleans, to participate in the press week.

The duties for the American queen were numerous and Zullay was by her side to face the media and the various events already scheduled for the Miss Universe 2022 crown winner.

“Finding out that I will be a stylist for Miss Universe was a moment full of emotions. As a Hispanic woman, I grew up watching the competition, that night I couldn’t sleep, I felt like I conquered the whole world”, recalls the beautician who has worked with celebrities such as Angie Martínez, Érica Mena, Amara black, Haley Kalil, Yenny Bui, among others for events such as Latin Billboard in Miami, Grammys in New York, Earth Music Awards in Las Vegas and Nashville, Tennessee.

“I have a friend, Yuko Takahashi, who is a make-up artist and worked for many years with Miss Universe, she called me on Sunday the day after the pageant to do R’bonney Gabriel’s hair, I couldn’t believe it…I was at Miss Universe, but I worked with Marom Martin, who was one of the judges.”

Zullay Sevilla revealed that the new monarch of world beauty is simple and stands out for her knowledge of people.

“Because she’s a designer, the first day she came back to New York to give interviews she wore her own suit, but the second day she chose one of her friends, and she could have chosen another one of her own… a very big heart. We were one morning in the apartment they gave her in New York and I was surprised when she told me what kind of tea she wanted,” she says excitedly.

From school to beauty salon

During her high school years, Zullay became interested in the secrets of cosmetology and stylists.

“When I was 16 years old, I took a course at the academy in Denville, New Jersey in 2006 and graduated in 2007. To get a cosmetology license, you have to do an internship in a beauty salon as an assistant and from 18. I was an assistant at Richard Fiorito’s Kaleidoscope salon for four years , who was my mentor,” recalls the Ecuadorian stylist.

Her parents, William Sevilla and Mayiyi Valverde, initially wanted her to study law, but seeing her interest in cosmetology, they supported her from her professional beginnings, although she did not completely rule out the fulfillment of her parents’ dream.

Polemics

Regarding the controversy caused by the announcement of R’bonney Gabriel as Miss Universe, Zullay Sevilla stated that it was to be expected.

“I honestly believe that every year there is a controversy, like when they took the crown from the Colombian (Ariadna Gutiérrez (2015)) and the Filipina, and then it was with the Mexican, every year there will be controversy. All the queens worked hard and are very beautiful, you can to choose a favorite, but there are so many beautiful women that you don’t know where to choose, they were all very strong girls, but in the end the judges are the ones who decide who wins”.

Among her immediate projects, she plans to visit her native Milagro with her parents to try Ecuadorian dishes again, and professionally, she does not rule out that one day she will have her own beauty salon.

“If I manage to get a room, it wouldn’t be something very big. I like to travel, and to start a business you have to constantly keep an eye on it, let’s see”.

inscriptions

Makeup artist Yuko Takahashi, Ecuadorian stylist Zullay Sevilla with the new Miss Universe, R’bonney Gabriel. Photos courtesy of Zullay Sevilla

Zullay Sevilla in Miss Universe