Catriona Elisa Magnayon Gray (born 6 January 1994) is a Filipina-Australiantelevision host, singer, model, stage actress and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss Universe 2018 in Bangkok, Thailand. She is the fourth Filipina to win the pageant.
Previously, Gray was crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2018[2] and Miss World Philippines 2016.
Early life and education
Gray was born in Cairns, Queensland[3] to aScottish-born Australian father, Ian Gray, fromFraserburgh, and a Filipino mother, Normita Ragas Magnayon, from Oas, Albay.[citation needed] Gray is reportedly named after her paternal grandmother, Catherine Gray (née Ross), an immigrant to Western Australia from Scotland in 1952.[citation needed]
Gray was a student at Trinity Anglican Schoolin Cairns.[4] She received a degree in Music Theory from the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. In addition, she obtained a Certificate in Outdoor Recreation and a black belt in Choi Kwang-Do[5] martial arts. Furthermore, Gray was the lead singer of her school's jazz band, and she also starred in local productions of Miss Saigon. After finishing high school in Australia, she then moved to Manila, Philippines where she worked as a commercial model.
As of 2018, Gray is in a relationship with Filipino-German model Clint Bondad.[6]
Pageantry
Miss World
Miss World Philippines 2016
On 2 October 2016, Gray was crowned Miss World Philippines 2016 where she won the following special awards:[7]
- Best in Swimsuit
- Best in Evening Gown
- Best in Fashion Runway
- Best in Talent[8]
In addition, Gray won the following corporate endorsement awards:
- Miss FIG Image Gateway
- Miss Folded and Hung
- Miss Hannah Beach Resort
- Miss Figlia
- Miss Manila Hotel
- Miss Organique
Miss World 2016
After winning her national competition, Gray competed at Miss World 2016 held in MGM National Harbor, in Oxon Hill, Maryland, United States where she placed in the Top 5. Gray won the following awards:
- Multimedia Award[9]
- Talent Award (2nd place)[9]
- Top 5 (Beauty with a Purpose project)[9]
Miss Universe
Binibining Pilipinas 2018
On 8 January 2018, Gray submitted her application form at the Binibining Pilipinas office at the Araneta Center to officially join the 2018 national pageant.[10] On 16 January 2018, national director Stella Araneta officially accepted her application and confirmed that Gray will be competing at the Binibining Pilipinas 2018 pageant.
During her national costume competition, Gray wore a Muslim princess attire from theMindanao region, taking placement as its winner. On 18 March 2018, she was crowned as Miss Universe Philippines 2018 by the outgoing titleholder Rachel Peters.[11][12]
Gray obtained the following corporate and contest awards:
- Best in National Costume Award
- Best in Evening Gown
- Best in Swimsuit
- Miss Jag Denim Queen Award (Endorsement)
- Miss Ever Bilena Cosmetics Award (Endorsement)[13][14]
She also obtained the following popularity contest prizes:
In Philippine pageant history, Gray is the first Philippine national to represent the country in both the Miss World and Miss Universe competitions. Accordingly, she is the secondFilipina to represent the Philippines in two major international pageants, the first entry beingCarlene Aguilar in 2005.
At her national competition, United States Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim asked the following: "After the devastating war—Marawi is now on its way to recovery, what will be your message to the young women of Marawi?":[11]
Gray: "...My answer and my message to the women is to be strong. As women, we're the head of household and we have amazing influence, not only in our own families, as mothers, sisters and friends, but also in our community. If we can get the women to stay strong and be that image of strength for the children and the people around them, then once the rebuilding is complete and underway, the morale of the community will stay strong and high..."
Miss Universe 2018
During the national costume show presentation, Gray showcased a beaded tribal suit featuring the indigenous tribes of the ancient pagan Filipinos, alongside an oversized Parolpainted Christmas lantern pulled by a roller device. The costume was accompanied by a pre-Christian Shamanic dance of the historical Babaylan paganism. The costume gained both support and criticism, due to the perceived difficulty of walking and the failure of LEDsto function, whilst Gray cited her Scoliosis ailment.[11][17][18]
In the pageant's preliminary stages, Catriona Gray did a slow-motion walk on the ramp in the swimwear competition wearing a pink swimsuit, which was praised by fashion commentators and Internet viewers.[19][20]
Gray represented the Philippines in the 2018 Miss Universe contest on December 17, 2018 held at IMPACT Arena, Muang Thong Thani in Nonthaburi Province, Thailand. During the first question and answer round, Gray was asked by host Steve Harvey, "Canada recently joined Uruguay as the second nation in the world to make marijuana legal. What is your opinion on the regularization of marijuana?"[21] She responded:
I’m for it being used for medical use, but not so for recreational use. Because I think if people will argue then what about alcohol and cigarettes? Everything is good but in moderation.[22]
In the final question and answer portion, the top three contestants were asked the same question by Harvey: "What is the most important lesson you’ve learned and how will you apply it to your time as Miss Universe?" She answered:
I work a lot in the slums of Tondo, Manila and the life there is poor and very sad. And I’ve always taught to myself to look for the beauty of it and look in the beauty of 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 this I think if I can teach people to be grateful, we can have an amazing world where negativity could not grow and foster and children will have smile on their faces.[22]
At the end of the event, Gray was announced winner and was crowned by her predecessorDemi-Leigh Nel-Peters of South Africa. She is the fourth Filipina Miss Universe, after Gloria Diaz in 1969, Margie Moran in 1973 and Pia Wurtzbach in 2015.[21][23]
Discography
Singles
References
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catriona_Gray
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