With Catriona Gray winning the Miss Universe (MU) 2018 title, she is undeniably among today’s most decorated beauty queens in the world.
Before conquering the “Universe,” the 24-year-old Filipina-Australian first tried to rule the “World” when she competed at Miss World in 2016 and won third runner-up on top of other special awards.
Failing to win the title then has fueled her passion to make a strong comeback and win the most coveted crown in the beauty pageant scene.
But even before she strutted in big international stages, Gray was already making the pageant rounds at a young age.
Her foray into the world of pageantry began in 1999 when she won Little Miss Philippines in Sydney at the age of five.
In an Instagram post in May 2016, Gray shared a throwback photo of her during the child beauty pageant.
“Relived a few childhood memories today going though some old photos! Always being a goofball and posing for pictures even then! And how cute was I in my first #LittleMissPhilippinespageant at 5 years old? Perhaps 17 years is a long enough time to wait?,” she said in what appeared to be a prelude to his Miss World Philippines campaign.
Months ahead of MU coronation, a fan group also posted photos of the beauty queen during her early experience.
Here are some facts about the new Miss Universe:
1. She is a pageant veteran
Before becoming Miss Universe 2018, Catriona also reigned as Miss World Philippines 2016, and competed in the Miss World pageant, finishing in the Top 5. But it would appear that she has been doing pageants way before then – in 1999, she competed in the Little Miss Philippines pageant in Sydney.
2. She is a trained musician
Aside from being a commercial model, Catriona is also a singer and songwriter, and even holds a master’s certificate in music theory from the Berklee College of Music in Boston. She released her first single, “We’re in this together” in late November, in partnership with the organization she supports, Young Focus Philippines.
3. She kicks ass not just as a beauty queen but as a martial artist
Catriona’s fierceness may stem from her martial arts training in her youth. She started training in Choi Kwang Do when she was 8 years old, and earned her black belt when she was 12.
Catriona says her training taught her discipline – and still comes in handy sometimes when she models.
4. Catriona’s winning look is a celebration of her Filipino and Bicolano roots
Her winning gown, by designer Mak Tumang, was inspired by the Mayon Volcano in her hometown, Albay, (and also references her famous “lava” walk). Her now-iconic earcuff by Tessera Jewelry (she wore a similar design when she won the Bb Pilipinas crown in March) is a tribute to the 3 stars and sun in the Philippine flag. According to Catriona in the post-pageant press conference, the color of her gown is extra-significant, because her mother previously dreamed that she joined and won the competition wearing a red dress.
5. She also paints!
Another talent/skill in her arsenal: Catriona is also a skilled painter, and has created artwork to raise funds for her charity, the Paraiso Bright Beginnings Project.
Source: cnnphilippines.com, rappler.com, google images
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