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Catriona Gray marks five years since winning Miss Universe crown
Catriona Gray looked back on her journey at the Miss Universe 2018 five years ago.
On Instagram, the beauty queen shared a daring photo of her as she marks the five years since she was crowned Miss Universe in 2018.
She began by saying that "five has always been her favorite number since she was a little girl."
"It seems fitting to celebrate and reflect on my fifth year anniversary as I stand now on the cusp of a whole new chapter," Catriona added.
She then reflected on her journey, saying that she "gave her absolute everything on the Miss Universe stage," and she "had to conquer so many fears."
"I went against the grain," she said.
The Filipino-Australian beauty queen also said her journey went from "from being an independent, non-camp trained candidate and forming her own team; to utilizing visual, story telling in every aspect from my national costume, to my OOTDs, to my accessories; to creating social media strategies and campaigns."
"Some people, I rubbed the wrong way because I wasn't just a 'yes' girl. I was vocal, stubborn in my vision of what a representative could, and ought to bring to the universe stage," the Oragon lady said.
Catriona described her pageant stint as a "comeback story that was rooted in failure."
According to her, her story was the reason why the mythical folklore of Philippine mythology in the form of Ibong Adarna, a phoenix that rises from the ashes resonated so deeply in her:
"Five years ago, in Bangkok, Thailand, I earned the greatest honor of bringing pride to my country as Miss Universe 2018," Catriona wrote, remembering her crowning glory.
She then thanked everyone who has supported her in every step of the way, especially those who have encouraged her to not give up and to try again.
"Look at how far we've come together," she said.
Ending her post, Catriona said her Miss Universe journey as a love letter to the Philippines, and hoped that it can serve as a reminder to never give up on your vision.
She reminded everyone that no matter what the path looks like it is never a rejection, but a redirection.
Catriona is the fourth Filipina to be hailed as Miss Universe queen after Gloria Diaz (1969), Margarita Moran (1973), and Pia Wurtzbach (2015).
Before joining Miss Universe, Cat tried her luck in the 2016 Miss World competition, where she finished in the Top 5.
Aside from being a beauty queen, Catriona is known for her hosting gigs, having hosted Binibing Pilipinas and Miss Universe in the past.
Her talent in hosting earned her the Best Female Host award at the 2023 Aliw Awards.
In February, Catriona got engaged to her boyfriend, actor Sam Milby, after nearly years of dating.
The couple, who revealed their relationship in 2020, plans to tie the knot next year.
—Jade Veronique Yap/MGP, GMA Integrated News
