Catriona Gray

Her foray into the world of pageantry began in 1999 when she won Little Miss Philippines in Sydney at the age of five.[13]

Gray at the NFL Honours in Atlanta, GA, February 2019.

On 2 October 2016, Gray was crowned Miss World Philippines 2016 where she won the following special awards:[14]

• Best in Swimsuit
• Best in Evening Gown
• Best in Fashion Runway
• Best in Talent[15]

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

During the Top 12 question and answer round she was asked, "When you get up in the morning and look in the mirror, what do you see?", she answered:[16]

Gray: "I see someone who is constantly trying to be better. 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."

During the final question and answer round all the five finalist were asked the same question, "Why should you be Miss World Philippines 2016?", Gray answered:[16]

Gray: "To be a Miss World is to be passed a torch that burns with passion and purpose. If I am to become Miss World Philippines, I will dedicate my voice and essence to carry that torch and to set charitable causes alight, such as my personal advocacy, the Paraiso Bright Beginnings Project. And I would focus on passing on this torch to empower others because I believe together there is no darkness in this world that our light cannot overcome."

After winning the national competition, Gray competed at Miss World 2016 held in MGM National Harbor, in Oxon Hill, Maryland, United States where she was placed in the Top 5.[17] Gray won the following awards:

• Multimedia Award[18]
• Talent Award (2nd place)[18]
• Top 5 (Beauty with a Purpose project)[18]

During the question and answer portion, she was asked by the reigning Miss World 2015 Mireia Lalaguna, "Which qualities do you think it will take to wear my crown?", she answered:[19]

Gray: "I think, first of all, it takes bravery. To be a Miss World is to carry a burning torch. It is like action carried out by one to illuminate the lives of many. And I would dedicate my whole self, my love for the arts and my voice to try to uplift, empower and educate people. And it would be my greatest honor and duty to hold this torch high enough so that all the world could feel and see its light. Thank you."

On 8 January 2018, Gray submitted her application to Binibining Pilipinas to officially join the 2018 national pageant.[20] Eight days later, Binibing Pilipinas national director Stella Araneta confirmed that Gray will be officially competing at the Binibining Pilipinas 2018 pageant.

During the national costume competition, Gray wore a Muslim princess attire from Mindanao and bagged the national costume award. On 18 March 2018, she was crowned as Miss Universe Philippines 2018 by the outgoing titleholder Rachel Peters.[21][22]

Gray obtained the following corporate and contest awards:

• Best in National Costume
• Best in Evening Gown
• Best in Swimsuit
• Miss Jag Denim Queen Award (Endorsement)
• Miss Ever Bilena Cosmetics Award (Endorsement)[23][24]

She also obtained the following popularity contest prizes:

• Dairy Queen's Award (First Prize)[25]
• Pizza Hut's Award 2018[26]

In Philippine beauty pageant history, Gray is the first Filipina to represent the country in both the Miss World and Miss Universe competitions, and the second to represent the Philippines in two major international pageants, the first being Carlene Aguilar in 2005.

At her national competition, United States Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Yong 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?":[21]

Gray: "My answer and my message to the women is to be strong. As women, we're the head of the household and we have amazing influence, not only in our own families, as mothers, sisters and friends, but also in our community. If we could 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 is underway, the morale of the community will stay strong and high."

Gray returning to the Philippines after being crowned Miss Universe 2018.

Gray represented the Philippines in the 2018 Miss Universe contest on 17 December 2018 held at IMPACT Arena, Muang Thong Thani in Nonthaburi Province, Thailand.[27] During the national costume show presentation, Gray showcased a beaded tribal suit featuring the indigenous tribes of the ancient pagan Filipinos, alongside an oversized Parol painted 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 LEDs to function, whilst Gray cited her scoliosis ailment.[21][28][29]

In the pageant's preliminary stages, Catriona Gray did a slow-motion walk, (nicknamed lava walk[30]) on the ramp in the swimwear competition wearing a pink swimsuit, which was praised by supermodels Tyra Banks and Ashley Graham,[31] fashion commentators and Internet viewers.[32][33]

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 legalization of marijuana?"[27] She responded:

"I’m for it being used for medical use, but not so for recreational use. Because I think if people were to argue: Then what about alcohol and cigarettes? Well, everything is good but in moderation."[34]

Gray during the Frontrow Cares Christmas Charity for Kids Press conference, December 2018.

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 in your life 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 very... it's poor and it's very sad. And I’ve 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 would 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 could also teach people to be grateful, we could have an amazing world where negativity could not grow and foster, and children will have a smile on their faces."[34]

At the end of the event, Gray won the competition and was crowned by her predecessor, Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters of South Africa. She is the fourth Filipina Miss Universe after Gloria Diaz in 1969, Margarita Moran in 1973, and Pia Wurtzbach in 2015.[27][35]

On 17 October 2019, Gray attended the 2019 Latin Music Awards[36] at the Dolby Theatre, Hollywood and Highlands in Los Angeles, California[37] where she presented the 2019 "Canción Favorita – Tropical" award for the song "Adicto" to Marc Anthony and Prince Royce.[38][39]

On 8 December 2019, Gray crowned Zozibini Tunzi of South Africa as her successor at the 2019 Miss Universe competition at Tyler Perry Studios, in Atlanta, Georgia, the United States.

In her capacity as Miss Universe, Gray visited Brazil,[40] Canada,[41] Dubai in the United Arab Emirates,[42] Indonesia,[43] South Africa,[44] Thailand,[45] various cities and states across the United States, and her home country of the Philippines.[46]

Gray's advocacies over the years have focused on women's[47] rights as well as cultural promotion, particularly through the "One Town, One Product" (OTOP) project of the Philippines' Department of Trade and Industry.[48]

Gray became the subject of an alleged Red-tagging incident[49] in October 2020 when AFP Southern Luzon Command commander Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr.[50][49] said that Gray and actress Liza Soberano should not support Gabriela and other rights groups, as fellow celebrity Angel Locsin has done, or they would be drawn into the activities of the Marxist-Leninist-Maoist New People's Army,[50] and risk being killed in a clash with the army just like activists who had allegedly joined that group.[50]

In response, Gray's lawyer Atty. Joji Alonso issued a statement saying Parlade's statements were "uncalled for,"[51] further saying:

“Catriona will not waver in continuously championing social causes that uplift women’s lives. While there may be people who will try, she remains steadfast in her stance that no one should be silenced in sharing their personal stories that give strength and support to fellow women who have gone through similar experiences.”[51][52]