24-year Old Catriona Gray Defeats 93 Contestants From Other Countries To Be Crowned Miss Universe 2018

24-year Old Catriona Gray Defeats 93 Contestants From Other Countries To Be Crowned Miss Universe 2018

Catriona Gray from the Philippines was crowned Miss Universe 2018 on Monday, beating contestants from 93 other countries.

The 24-year-old Filipina-Australian becomes the fourth Filipina to
win the coveted title in the Thai capital Bangkok where the pageant
included for the first time a transgender contestant.

“My heart is filled with so much gratitude. There were moments of
doubt where I felt overwhelmed and I felt the pressure,” said Gray, who
wore a red and orange dress that was inspired by Mount Mayon, a volcano
that erupted this year.

Gray was asked during the contest about her views on legalizing
marijuana and replied that she supported it for medical uses. After she
was crowned, Gray told reporters the question was “definitely relevant”
and “an active topic”, in an apparent reference to the war on drugs in
the Philippines that has killed thousands of Filipinos and caused
international alarm.  

Gray said during the pageant that working in a Manila slum had taught
her to find beauty in difficult situations. “If I could teach people to
be grateful, we could have an amazing world where negativity could not
grow and foster, and children would have a smile on their face,” she
said.  

Miss South Africa, Tamaryn Green, 24 was the first runner-up, followed by Miss Venezuela, Sthefany Gutiérrez, 19.