Beating contestants from 93 other countries in last night’s contest, Catriona Gray from the Philippines claimed the Miss Universe crown for 2018 on Monday. The 24-year-old Filipina-Australian edged out South African Demi Leigh Nel-Peters for the top spot, becoming the fourth Filipina to bring home the coveted title.
Miss Venezuela, Sthefany Gutiérrez, rounded out the top three at the contest in Bangkok. Even Thailand’s own Sophida Kanchanarin made it to the final 10, but did not progress further.
Gray’s father is Australian, and she was born and grew up in Cairns, Australia. She studied at the Berklee College of Music in Boston.
Miss Philippines wore a sparkling red dress that was inspired by a volcano in the Philippines as she was handed the crown to the delight of a roaring crowd. Gray said she wore red because “when I was 13 my mom said she had a dream that I would win Miss Universe in a red dress.”
“My heart is filled with so much gratitude,” Gray said. “There were moments of doubt where I felt overwhelmed and I felt the pressure.”
Gray said during the pageant that working in a Manila slum had taught her to find beauty in difficult situations.
“If I could teach people to be grateful, we could have an amazing world where negativity could not grow and foster, and children would have a smile on their face,” Gray said during the Q&A round.
Gray is the fourth Filipina to be named Miss Universe.
“Ms. Gray truly made the entire Philippines proud when she sashayed on the global stage and showcased the genuine qualities defining a Filipina beauty: confidence, grace, intelligence and strength in the face of tough challenges,” President Rodrigo Duterte said in a statement from the presidential palace. “In her success, Miss Philippines has shown to the world that women in our country have the ability to turn dreams into reality through passion, diligence, determination and hard work.”
By: Maytinee Kramer
