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, 19.24-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.
