Catriona Gray and Sam Milby 'facing some challenges,' says Cornerstone
After weeks of speculation, Cornerstone Entertainment finally released a statement about the alleged breakup of celebrity couple Sam Milby and Catriona Gray. The statement was posted on its social media pages. They posted a photo with their official statement on the issue.
Cornerstone Entertainment, the talent agency of the couple, confirmed that Sam Milby and Catriona Gray are facing “some challenges” in their relationship. However, both are “actively working” to resolve those issues together.
The agency also requested everyone to respect the couple's privacy as they “navigate” through the situation.
The full statement read: "We at Cornerstone, as the talent management agency representing artists Sam Milby and Catriona Gray, would like to address the recent rumors surrounding their relationship. While it is true that Sam and Catriona are currently facing some challenges in their relationship, they are actively working on resolving these issues together.
"We kindly request that everyone respect their privacy during this time as they navigate through this situation. We appreciate the concern and well-wishes from all those who have shown support for the couple,"
The rumors about their breakup started when netizens noticed that Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray was not wearing her engagement ring in her photos at one of her events in the first week of February.
Meanwhile, Filipino comedian and talk show host Ogie Diaz was quick to release a statement on February 6 and quoted his conversation with Catriona and Sam's manager, Erickson Raymundo.
According to him, Erickson debunked the news and clarified that there are instances that the Miss Universe does not wear her engagement rings for reasons he did not share any further.
The next few days, the couple was seen with their celebrity friends John Prats and his wife, Isabel Oli. John even posted an update on Instagram last February 8 that gave relief to netizens.
However, on February 24, Ogie confused the netizens once again with his YouTube video after sharing that one of his sources confirmed the breakup of Catriona and Sam. The source even said they were already separated during her birthday last January and only celebrated as friends.
The source said that Sam realized he was not yet ready to commit to marriage, resulting in their alleged breakup.
This, alongside rumors and comments from netizens, prompted Cornerstone Entertainment to finally debunk the breakup of Sam and Catriona.
The couple first confirmed their relationship last May 2020 when Sam posted on Instagram a Polaroid photo of him and Catriona with the caption, “Worth every second of the wait. Most special birthday yet.”
After three years of dating, Sam and Catriona shared their engagement last February 2023 and revealed that they are planning to tie the knot sometime in 2024.
Meanwhile, look back on Sam and Catriona's relationship timeline:
Engaged
Sam Milby and Catriona Gray are engaged to be married! The couple shared their exciting announcement through social media on February 16, 2023.
Beginning
Their relationship was first publicized on May 23, 2020 when Sam posted a photo of him with Catriona on his birthday.
"Worth every second of the wait. Most special birthday yet." Sam wrote in his caption, confirming dating rumors with the beauty queen.
Fan boy
Sam was a fan of Catriona even before they dated, during her win in the Miss Universe 2018, he shared her photo on social media and wrote, “Thank you for raising the flag for all Filipinos @catriona_gray !!! You truly deserve the Congrats!!! #missuniverse2018 #catrionagray.”
Church
Prior to dating, Sam and Catriona are both managed by Cornerstone Entertainment Inc., president and manager Erickson Raymundo. They are under the same network and attend the same Church as Christians.
Similarities
The couple share many similarities such as growing up in a mixed race family, with Sam being Filipino-American and Catriona a Filipino-Australian beauty.
Advocates
Both Sam and Catriona also have a number of shared values and prioritize advocacies that help women, children, and the environment among others.
Travel
Sam and Catriona are also both travel lovers, with most of their couple pictures taken on trips together.
Privacy
In July 2020, Catriona's long term ex-boyfriend Clint Bondad posted screenshots of his direct messages to Sam Milby. Sam apparently ignored the messages and tweeted later on saying, "I cannot simply stand by and allow other people to take control of a narrative that is not theirs to tell. Cat and I have chosen to keep our relationship mostly private. It was only until recently that we made an exception, to lend our voices to charitable causes."
Protection
In September 2020, Catriona filed a libel complaint against an entertainment editor over the publication of allegedly fake topless photos of the beauty queen, Sam was right by her side supporting her and protecting her peace.
Boyfriend
Catriona has kept her social media professional but in May 2021, a year after Sam's relationship reveal, Catriona posted a sweet birthday message for her boyfriend. “Happy Birthday my love @samuelmilby ! So sad I can't be with you today to celebrate (even though you hate birthdays ) but I'm so thankful I get to do life with you. ILYSM .”
Beauty Queen
After her breakup with Clint Bondad in February 2019, Catriona stayed single for over a year and focused on beauty queen duties before dating Sam.
