Catriona Gray represented the Philippines at Miss Universe 2018 on 17 December 2018 at IMPACT Arena, Muang Thong Thani in Nonthaburi Province, north of Bangkok, Thailand. With winning the crown at the end of the event finale, she became the fourth Filipina beauty to win the title. Catriona became one of the successful Miss Universe queens and a role model for the women across the world.
On her second crowning anniversary, Catriona took to her social media to share, “Two years ago. Honouring my amazing parents whose support and love made me into the woman I am today. Even though tears didn't fall when I the crown was placed on my head, tears fell when I saw this footage the first time. Love you Mama and Papa.” She also shared a video when she was announced as the new Miss Universe 2018.
The diva was born in Cairns, Queensland to an Australian father of Scottish descent, Ian Gray, and a Filipina mother, Normita Ragas Magnayon, from Oas, Albay. She is reportedly named after her paternal grandmother, Catherine Gray (née Ross), an immigrant to Western Australia from Scotland in 1952 and Elsa Magnayon (née Ragas), her maternal grandmother from Oas, Albay, Philippines. She earned her graduate certificate in music theory from Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. She also obtained a certificate in outdoor recreation and a black belt in Choi Kwang-Do martial arts. After completing her studies, she moved to Manila where she started working as a professional model.
Catriona stepped into the world of pageantry in 1999 when she won Little Miss Philippines when she was five years old. She later participated and was crowned as Miss World Philippines 2016 along with winning special awards; best in swimsuit, best in evening gown, best in talent, and best in fashion runaway. She impressed everyone with her answer that stated that when she wakes up in the morning, she sees a woman who tries to be better. She added, “I've always endured to always be better than the day before, to do things that challenge me, to do things outside the box. And something that is very fulfilling that I have found is when I look in the mirror, I want to see someone who gives back to the community, and that's someone who I achieve to be every single day."
Catriona’s humbleness and desire to dedicate her voice and essence to carry the torch of Miss World and to set charitable causes alight, such as her personal advocacy, the Paraiso Bright Beginnings Project that raises funds for children in the Smokey Mountain landfill in Tondo, Manila, made her win the title eventually. She went onto represent the Philippines at Miss World 2016 where she was highly appreciated but was placed at Top 5. The diva’s will to win the crown for the country brought her to the Binibining Pilipinas 2018 competition where with her utmost focus, dedication, and training, she was able to win the crown as Miss Universe Philippines 2018.
With her win as Miss Universe Philippines 2018, she became the first Filipina beauty to represent the country at both Miss World and Miss Universe and the second to represent the Philippines in two major international pageants, the first being Carlene Aguilar in 2005.
At Miss Universe 2018, Catriona Gray quickly became a fan favourite and impressed everyone with her communication skills and the way she carries herself. In the pageant's preliminary stages, Catriona Gray did a slow-motion walk, (nicknamed lava walk) on the ramp in the swimwear competition wearing a pink swimsuit, which was praised by supermodels Tyra Banks and Ashley Graham, fashion commentators and Internet viewers.
During the final question and answer round, she was asked, "What is the most important lesson you've learned in your life and how would you apply it to your time as Miss Universe?" To which Catriona Gray replied, "I work a lot in the slums of Tondo, Manila and the life there is poor and it's very sad. And I have always taught myself to look for the beauty in it; to look in the beauty in the faces of the children and to be grateful. And I will bring this aspect as a Miss Universe, to see situations with a silver lining. And to assess where I could give something; where I could provide something as a spokesperson. And if I can teach people to be grateful, we can have an amazing world where negativity cannot grow and prosper, and children will have smiles on their faces."
Becoming Miss Universe is not just about beauty, it's also about being compassionate, intelligent and an exceptionally good human being too, and this reflected in Miss Philippines' winning answer and she was crowned Miss Universe 2018. Catriona visited various countries and states across the world to carry out her advocacy.
The diva is very close to her culture and that’s why during the pandemic she offered to help as much as she could in her community and is often seen supporting local businessmen and shops and urged everyone to support them too. She recently visited Colombia as an ambassador for Smile Train and served as one of the judges as Miss Universe Colombia 2020. Catriona has always desired to eradicate the poverty from her community and is constantly working to make their lives better especially for the children.
Gray planned to renovate a three-storey building at the Smokey Mountain into a child care centre and preschool for children aged three to five years old. She asked the public for donations through a video on her YouTube channel. Two years later, the same building was featured in her own music video of her first single titled “We’re in this Together.” It is now fully restored and developed into a small school. Gray perceived that the education of Filipino children of Smokey Mountain is the best way she can help alleviate poverty.
Catriona Gray always desired to have a positive and impactful reign and she is still making positive changes in the society two years after her reign. She is a true example of how a work of Miss Universe never ends even if the crown passes. She has discovered the musical side of her and released a track along with her beau Sam Milby and is focusing on working for the society and performing on-stage. She works along with the organization Young Focus, that aims to improve the mental, physical, and social well-being of young people in poor communities by means of education, health care and personal support. She also raised her voice for the LGBTQ+ community and urged everyone to understand the importance of being educated and educating others about such sensitive yet essential issues in the world. Catriona mentioned and urged everyone in her country to be more liberal and vocal about their support towards them. She also mentioned that we ourselves must educate ourselves about the community as it’s not the LGBTQ community's responsibility to educate us.
A lot of young women who aspire to be a beauty queen look up to Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray for inspiration and how a role model should be. She has outdone her reign and that’s why she is one of the most loved Miss Universe queens not only in the Philippines but across the world.