Miss Universe 2018: Check 8 Facts About Miss Philippines Catriona Gray Who Got the Crown This Year (VIDEO)

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Has somebody told the Universe that a new queen has been crowned and it is Catriona Gray from the Philippines? The 24-year-old Miss Universe 2018 slayed the pageant game from start to finish at the pageant’s coronation event on Monday, December 17 at Bangkok, Thailand.

Nexter.org gathered some interesting facts to know about the Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray.

Talented and beautiful

The 2018 Miss Universe pageant was held in Bangkok, Thailand where nearly a hundred women from around the world vied for the coveted crown.

The 24-year-old Catriona bested 93 other candidates from all over the world, standing out for her signature “lava” walk, and answering a question about marijuana legalization.

Source: Lillian SUWANRUMPHA/AFP

Miss South Africa Tamaryn Green was the first runner-up and Miss Venezuela Sthefany Gutiérrez was the second runner-up.

Source: Lillian SUWANRUMPHA/AFP

Gray is the fourth Filipina to wear the crown.

Miss Universe 2018 is… PHILIPPINES! pic.twitter.com/r2BkN8JpXh

— Miss Universe (@MissUniverse) December 17, 2018

Born in Cairns, Australia to an Australian father and Filipina mother, Catriona moved to the Philippines in her late teens.

She worked primarily as a model, appearing in various commercials and magazines, before entering the pageant world.

Source: Lillian SUWANRUMPHA/AFP

Gray has been in a relationship with Filipino-German model Clint Bondad for more than five years now. Bondad is a member of the ASAP Cover Boys with Tommy Esguerra, Albie Casiño, Luis Hontiveros, and Tanner Mata.

Source: Instagram

Before becoming Miss Universe 2018, Catriona also reigned as Miss World Philippines 2016, and competed in the Miss World pageant, finishing in the Top 5. But it would appear that she has been doing pageants way before then – in 1999, she competed in the Little Miss Philippines pageant in Sydney.

Source: Lillian SUWANRUMPHA/AFP

Catriona is also a singer and songwriter, and even holds a master’s certificate in music theory from the Berklee College of Music in Boston. She released her first single, “We’re in this together” in late November, in partnership with the organization she supports, Young Focus Philippines.

Her winning gown, by designer Mak Tumang, was inspired by the Mayon Volcano in her hometown, Albay, (and also references her famous “lava” walk). Her now-iconic earcuff by Tessera Jewelry (she wore a similar design when she won the Bb Pilipinas crown in March) is a tribute to the 3 stars and sun in the Philippine flag.