News and Star Philippines celebrates as Catriona Gray crowned Miss Universe

17th December

Press Association 2018

The Philippines’ Catriona Gray has been named Miss Universe 2018 in Bangkok, beating contestants from 93 other countries and delighting her home nation.

Ms Gray wore a sparkling red dress she said was inspired by a volcano in the Philippines as she was handed the crown to the delight of a roaring crowd that generally favoured south-east Asian contestants.

The 24-year-old singer and model said she wore red because “when I was 13 my mom said she had a dream that I would win Miss Universe in a red dress”.

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She said her mother cried when they saw each other after she won the competition, the 67th Miss Universe pageant.

Ms Gray edged out first runner-up Tamaryn Green of South Africa and third-placed Sthefany Gutierrez of Venezuela.

She succeeds Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters of South Africa.

In the Philippines, pageants are a popular attraction, and Ms Gray’s victory sparked celebrations across the country.

Miss UniverseMs Gray’s dazzling gown was inspired by the Mayon volcano (AP)
Celebrations were especially buoyant in Oas town in the north-eastern province of Albay, from which Ms Gray’s Filipina mother hails.

According to Ms Gray, her gown’s design, with its lava colour and appearance, was influenced by Albay’s Mayon Volcano.

Ms Gray’s father is Australian, and she was born and grew up in Cairns, Australia. She studied at the Berklee College of Music in Boston in the United States.

The office of Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte was quick to congratulate Ms Gray, the fourth Filipina to be named Miss Universe.

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Yas queen, it's real! You're #MissUniverse.