Catriona Elisa Magnayon Gray (English: KAT-ree-aw-nə, KAHT-; Tagalog: [ˌkaːtɾiˈɔː.na]; born January 6, 1994) is a Filipino model, singer, actress and beauty queen best known for winning Miss Universe 2018. The fourth Filipina to win Miss Universe, Gray was previously crowned Miss World Philippines 2016 and Miss Universe Philippines 2018, and reached the top five at Miss World 2016.
Catriona Elisa Magnayon Gray was born in Cairns, Queensland, Australia, on January 6, 1994, to an Australian father of Scottish descent, Ian Gray, and a Filipina mother, Normita Ragas Magnayon, from Oas, Albay, Philippines. Gray is reportedly named after her paternal grandmother, Catherine Gray, an immigrant to Western Australia from Scotland in 1952. In 1999, Gray won the Little Miss Philippines pageant in Sydney at the age of five.
Gray was a student at Trinity Anglican School in Cairns where she was a house captain and a school chorister. She received a graduate certificate in music theory from Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts and obtained a certificate in outdoor recreation and a black belt in Choi Kwang-Do martial arts. Furthermore, Gray was lead singer of her school's jazz band; she also starred in local productions of Miss Saigon. After graduating from high school, she moved to Manila where she worked as a commercial model.
On September 5, 2016, Gray was announced as one of the 40 candidates competing for the title of Miss World Philippines 2016. The pageant was held on October 2, at the Manila Hotel. Early in the competition, Gray won four special awards—Best in Swimsuit, Best in Evening Gown, Best in Fashion Runway, and Best in Talent—as well as six awards from the pageant's corporate sponsors.
Gray would progress to the top 12 question and answer round she was asked, "When you get up in the morning and look in the mirror, what do you see?". In her answer she recalled how she would reflect on her experiences to further her character.
During the final question and answer round all the five finalists were asked the same question, "Why should you be Miss World Philippines 2016?". Gray emphasized her commitment to her title and her personal advocacy in her answer.
On September 3, 2017, Gray crowned Laura Lehmann as her successor at the Miss World Philippines 2017 pageant.
After winning the national competition, Gray competed at Miss World 2016 held in MGM National Harbor, in Oxon Hill, Maryland, United States. In pre-pageant contests, Gray won the Multimedia Award, was second in the Talent Award, and reached the top five for the Beauty with a Purpose project.
During the question and answer portion in the pageant, she was asked by the reigning Miss World 2015 Mireia Lalaguna, "Which qualities do you think it will take to wear my crown?". She would state "bravery" as the quality necessary for the title.
Gray went on to finish as a top five finalist. Stephanie Del Valle of Puerto Rico won the said pageant.
On January 8, 2018, Gray submitted her application for Binibining Pilipinas 2018. On January 16, she was confirmed as one of the 40 candidates competing for the six national titles contested in the pageant.
During the national costume competition on March 3, Gray wore a Mindanao-inspired golden princess gown designed by Jearson Demavivas in honor of Muslim women affected by the Siege of Marawi the previous year. She was announced as one of the ten finalists for the Best in National Costume Award on March 9.
The pageant was held on March 18, at the Araneta Coliseum. Gray won five special awards: Best in National Costume, Best in Swimsuit, Best in Evening Gown, and two awards from the pageant's sponsors. She also obtained two popularity contest prizes.
Gray progressed to the question and answer round, where United States Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim asked the following: "After the devastating war—Marawi is now on its way to recovery, what will be your message to the young women of Marawi?". Gray would state the following:
My answer and my message to the women is to be strong. As women, we're the head of the household and we have amazing influence, not only in our own families, as mothers, sisters and friends, but also in our community. If we could get the women to stay strong and be that image of strength for the children and the people around them, then once the rebuilding is complete and is underway, the morale of the community will stay strong and high.
Gray would go on to win the pageant as Miss Universe Philippines 2018, being crowned by her predecessor Rachel Peters. With her victory, Gray became the first Filipino to represent the country in both the Miss World and Miss Universe competitions, and the second to represent the Philippines in two major international pageants, the first being Carlene Aguilar in 2005.
On June 9, 2019, Gray crowned Gazini Ganados as her successor at the Binibining Pilipinas 2019 pageant.
As Miss Universe Philippines 2018, Gray represented the Philippines at Miss Universe 2018.