Catriona Gray facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Catriona Gray
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Gray in 2021
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Catriona Elisa Magnayon Gray
January 6, 1994 Cairns, Queensland, Australia
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| Education | Berklee College of Music |
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| Height | 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) |
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| Beauty pageant titleholder | |
| Agency | Cornerstone Entertainment |
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Catriona Elisa Magnayon Gray (born January 6, 1994) is a Filipino model, singer, and beauty queen. She is famous for winning the Miss Universe 2018 pageant. She was the fourth woman from the Philippines to win the Miss Universe title.
Before her big win, she also won two other major titles: Miss World Philippines 2016 and Miss Universe Philippines 2018. She also placed in the top five at the Miss World 2016 competition.
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Early Life and Schooling
Catriona Gray was born in Cairns, Queensland, Australia. Her father, Ian Gray, is an Australian with Scottish roots, and her mother, Normita Magnayon, is from Oas, Albay, in the Philippines. When she was just five years old, she won the Little Miss Philippines pageant in Sydney.
Gray went to Trinity Anglican School in Cairns. She was very active in school as a house captain and a singer in the school choir. She earned a certificate in music theory from the famous Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts.
She is also very athletic and has a black belt in Choi Kwang-Do martial arts. Gray was the lead singer of her school's jazz band and even acted in plays like Miss Saigon. After high school, she moved to Manila, the capital of the Philippines, to work as a model.
Her Journey in Pageants
Catriona Gray is one of the most successful beauty queens from the Philippines. She competed in four major pageants.
Miss World Philippines 2016
On October 2, 2016, Gray competed for the title of Miss World Philippines. She stood out from the start, winning many special awards, including Best in Swimsuit, Best in Evening Gown, and Best in Talent.
During the final question, all five finalists were asked, "Why should you be Miss World Philippines 2016?". Gray answered by talking about her dedication and her desire to help others. Her thoughtful answer helped her win the crown.
Miss World 2016
After winning in the Philippines, Gray traveled to the United States to compete in the Miss World 2016 pageant. She did very well, winning the Multimedia Award and placing high in the Talent and "Beauty with a Purpose" contests.
She made it to the top five finalists. Although she did not win the crown, her performance made her a fan favorite around the world.
Binibining Pilipinas 2018
In 2018, Gray decided to compete again, this time in the Binibining Pilipinas 2018 pageant. This pageant chooses the Philippines' representatives for different international competitions, including Miss Universe.
Gray once again won many special awards, such as Best in National Costume, Best in Swimsuit, and Best in Evening Gown. In the final question round, she was asked about her message to the young women of Marawi, a city recovering from war. She gave a powerful message about strength and hope.
She won the title of Miss Universe Philippines 2018. This made her the first Filipino to represent the country in both the Miss World and Miss Universe pageants.
Miss Universe 2018
Gray represented the Philippines at the Miss Universe 2018 pageant in Thailand. She became famous for her unique "lava walk," a slow-motion turn that she did during the swimsuit competition. Supermodels like Tyra Banks praised her walk.
For the evening gown competition, she wore a stunning red and orange gown called the Mayon gown. It was inspired by the Mayon Volcano in her mother's home province of Albay. Her mother had once dreamed that Catriona would win Miss Universe wearing a red dress.
In the final round, the top three contestants were asked, "What is the most important lesson you've learned in your life and how will you apply it to your time as Miss Universe?" Gray spoke about her work in the slums of Tondo, Manila, and the importance of finding beauty in all situations and being grateful.
Her heartfelt answer won over the judges, and she was crowned Miss Universe 2018. She became the fourth Miss Universe from the Philippines.
Her Time as Miss Universe
As Miss Universe, Gray traveled the world. She visited countries like Brazil, Indonesia, South Africa, and Canada. She used her title to raise awareness for different causes, including education for poor children and HIV/AIDS awareness.
When she returned to the Philippines, she was given a huge homecoming parade. She met with the country's leaders and was celebrated as a national hero. On December 8, 2019, she passed her crown to the next Miss Universe, Zozibini Tunzi of South Africa.
Life After Miss Universe
After her reign, Catriona Gray continued to be a popular media personality. She has worked as a TV host, a performer on the show ASAP, and a judge for other beauty pageants.
She also served as a local ambassador for the 2023 FIBA World Cup, a major international basketball tournament held in the Philippines.
Helping Others and Speaking Out
Gray is known for her charity work and advocacy. She supports women's rights and works to preserve the culture of the Philippines' indigenous (or native) people.
She has been an ambassador for the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and for the Philippines' Department of Trade and Industry.
Sometimes, her work has been questioned. In 2020, a government official warned her about supporting certain women's rights groups. Gray and her lawyer responded firmly, stating that she would continue to support causes she believes in and that everyone has a right to share their story.
In 2024, Gray won a legal case against a newspaper that had published fake and harmful photos of her online.
Personal Life
Gray has been open about her health. She was diagnosed with scoliosis, a condition that causes the spine to curve, when she was twelve.
She was in a relationship with actor and model Clint Bondad until 2019. In 2020, she began dating actor Sam Milby. They announced their engagement in February 2023 but confirmed their breakup in February 2025.
In 2022, a wax figure of Catriona Gray was unveiled at the Madame Tussauds museum in Singapore. She is one of only three Filipinos to receive this honor, along with boxer Manny Pacquiao and Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach.
See also
In Spanish: Catriona Gray para niños
- Gloria Diaz
- Margie Moran
- Pia Wurtzbach
- Binibining Pilipinas
- Philippines at Major Beauty Pageants
