Catriona Gray always dreads this part of beauty pageants

ABS-CBN News
Posted at Sep 03 2018 11:46 AM

MANILA – Most people would think that competing in beauty pageants is a breeze for Catriona Gray, who has dominated both Miss World Philippines and Binibining Pilipinas.

She admitted, however, that there is one part of the competition that she always dreads.

“I’m not really comfortable in a two-piece,” she admitted in an interview with Starstyle.ph. “It’s not because I don’t love my body, I’m just a conservative person. My mom and my family raised me that way, so to be in a two-piece in front of thousands of people is a bit nerve-wracking.”

“But once I get up on stage, I’m not thinking about what the audience is thinking of me. I get into character and just put on a performance.”

True enough, Gray put on a good show in Bb. Pilipinas 2018 as she won Best in Swimsuit, one of her many special awards in the pageant.

While some people commented that she is “undeserving” to be dubbed best in swimsuit, Gray opted to shrug it off, saying: “More love, more positivity.”

Undeserving of swimsuit award? Catriona has message for supporters

Gray went on to reveal that there was a time when she was told to “fix” her nose, which she considers one of her best facial features.

“You wouldn’t believe I had so many people tell me to fix my nose when I started joining pageants. They would say, ‘you need to fix your nose.’ And I would think, ‘why would I do that? This makes me me.’”

She then gave this advice to those who are having issues with their self-esteem: “Don’t get caught in the comparison trap. Social media lays it before us. We’re always comparing our lives to those who are vacationing 24/7, have new clothes in every photo, have perfect lighting, have perfect bodies, and always in glam with their hair done. I want to remind everyone that social media is a curated collection of pictures, and you shouldn’t compare it to the reality of their life.”

“Everybody has his or her own journey, path, and challenges. You just need to focus on what you can do, and don’t put that much value in what you see around you.”

Gray is hoping to win the Philippines’ fourth Miss Universe crown this year to follow in the footsteps of Pia Wurtzbach, Margie Moran, and Gloria Diaz.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/life/09/03/18/catriona-gray-always-dreads-this-part-of-beauty-pageants