With a roster of participants from 93 different countries, one contestant managed to captivate audiences with her keen intellect, humanitarian experience, and dazzling smile. Catriona Gray took home the crown as the newest 2018 Miss Universe winner in Bangkok. A talented singer and model, the 24-year-old was originally born in Australia and spent time traveling between Australia and the Philippines as she grew up. Gray started competing in her first pageant at the tender age of five years old and eventually moved to Boston, where she studied music theory at the Berklee College of Music.
Catriona Gray is now the fourth Filipina to win the title of Miss Universe, and we're still reeling from excitement. "When I was 13 years old, my mother told me, ‘I had a dream that you were in Miss Universe, and you won in a red dress," Gray said to her fans after celebrating her victory.
Proud to be mixed, Catriona Gray is half Scottish and Filipina, and we're obsessed with her glowy skin and gorgeous hair. In addition to her seriously fierce runway walk (Tyra Banks-approved!), Catriona has also appeared in Pantene advertisements, showing off her long, voluminous locks. A triple threat, Catriona is also an accomplished martial artist, having trained in Choi Kwang Do since she was eight years old. When she was twelve, Gray received her black belt in the art form.
Despite the happy ending, this year's Miss Universe has been mired in controversy. When a recent video of several pageant contestants surfaced online, the contents sparked a strong wave of backlash from many across the globe. In the video, Miss USA Sarah Rose Summers made insulting remarks about Miss Cambodia, Rern Sinat, and Miss Vietnam, H'Hen Nie, while laughing and mocking the ladies about speaking English. The level of disrespect was real, and we’re glad that others decided to call out Summers for her seriously rude behavior. The Miss Universe event is supposed to celebrate themes of cultural diversity and empowerment for oneself and others, and Summer’s actions clearly do not uphold these values. According to the New York Post, Miss USA isn't the only one in the hot seat. A Thai YouTuber might be facing criminal charges for certain comments about a Miss Universe gown. Designed by the Princess of Thailand herself, YouTuber Wanchaleom Jamneanphol, laughed at the dress and called it “ugly” in a now-deleted Facebook post. In Thailand, it is a legal offense for insulting any member of Thai royalty, and it remains to be seen if the Youtuber will face any defamation charges against her. This year’s Miss Universe pageant also made headlines when the event included Angela Ponce of Spain, the competition’s first transgender contestant.
For the country of the Philippines, Catriona Gray’s new crown is a poignant achievement. Gray, who has spent time working with children in the Tondo slum in Manila, has been lauded for her advocacy work.
Paying homage to her ancestry, Catriona often wears handmade garments inspired by various native cultures of the Philippines. Congratulations from our team, and we hope to see more great things from Catriona Gray in the future.
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