Everything You Need to Know About the New Miss Universe

Catriona Gray from the Philippines "lava walked" her way to the Miss Universe 2018 crown.

December 21, 2018 5:00 am
Catriona Gray of the Philippines competes in swimsuit during the 2018 Miss Universe Pageant in Bangkok on December 17, 2018. - Miss Philippines was crowned Miss Universe on December 17 in Bangkok after a trailblazing ceremony praised for featuring its first transgender candidate but marred by gaffes about the English-speaking ability of two Asian contestants. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP) (Photo credit should read LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA/AFP/Getty Images)
Catriona Gray of the Philippines competes in swimsuit during the 2018 Miss Universe Pageant in Bangkok on December 17, 2018. - Miss Philippines was crowned Miss Universe on December 17 in Bangkok after a trailblazing ceremony praised for featuring its first transgender candidate but marred by gaffes about the English-speaking ability of two Asian contestants. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP) (Photo credit should read LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA/AFP/Getty Images)

A 24-year-old from the Albay province in the Bicol region of the Philippines, Catriona Gray was crowned Miss Universe 2018 this past Sunday in Thailand.

One of the biggest reasons for her win was the distinctive way Gray strutted in a swimsuit on the runway with her distinctive “Lava Walk.”

For the main part of the show, Gray kicked her game up a notch by doing her Lava Walk while wearing a scorching custom gown by Filipino designer Mak Tuman featuring a portrait of the Mayon Volcano rendered in Swarovski crystals.

Hailed by models including Tyra Banks and Ashley Graham, Gray’s walk was one of the most noteworthy parts of a pageant that, for better and worse, had its share.

But it’s not the only noteworthy thing about Gray, an advocate for HIV/AIDS education and prevention who has a master certificate in Music Theory from Berklee College of Music.

Despite being phenomenal enough shape to look great in a swimsuit, Gray is also a huge pizza fan. Specifically, Hawaiian pizza with sausage-stuffed crust.

 

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A post shared by Catriona Gray (@catriona_gray) on Oct 16, 2018 at 5:33am PDT

“As soon as she walked in, she answered her questions very well. Not only did she answer it very well, she answered it with confidence,” said Richelle Singson Michael, one of the seven judges. “And her confidence was not just any ordinary confidence, it was a confidence that was natural. Her confidence also came off as fun. It wasn’t forced that she was rehearsing her answers. That made a big difference and that’s what put her in the Top 20. When she was in the Top 10, five, three, it was already the way that she answered.”

While clearly her confidence, eating habits, and walking prowess are all impressive, Gray’s overall body of work is not to be to discounted either.

Let’s check it out, courtesy of her Instagram page.

 

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A post shared by Catriona Gray (@catriona_gray) on Dec 15, 2018 at 5:53pm PST

 

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A post shared by Catriona Gray (@catriona_gray) on Dec 7, 2018 at 3:21am PST

 

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A post shared by Catriona Gray (@catriona_gray) on Nov 23, 2018 at 4:05am PST

 

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A post shared by Catriona Gray (@catriona_gray) on Oct 30, 2018 at 7:35pm PDT

 

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A post shared by Catriona Gray (@catriona_gray) on Sep 27, 2018 at 3:22am PDT

 

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A post shared by Catriona Gray (@catriona_gray) on Sep 19, 2018 at 3:13pm PDT

 

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A post shared by Catriona Gray (@catriona_gray) on Aug 31, 2018 at 7:17am PDT

 

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A post shared by Catriona Gray (@catriona_gray) on Jun 21, 2018 at 8:51pm PDT

 

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A post shared by Catriona Gray (@catriona_gray) on May 24, 2018 at 5:52pm PDT

 

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A post shared by Catriona Gray (@catriona_gray) on May 1, 2018 at 5:52am PDT

 

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A post shared by Catriona Gray (@catriona_gray) on Apr 4, 2018 at 8:54pm PDT

 

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A post shared by Catriona Gray (@catriona_gray) on Apr 1, 2018 at 11:02pm PDT

 

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A post shared by Catriona Gray (@catriona_gray) on Mar 19, 2018 at 6:46am PDT

 

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A post shared by Catriona Gray (@catriona_gray) on Jan 14, 2018 at 9:09pm PST

 

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A post shared by Catriona Gray (@catriona_gray) on Apr 7, 2017 at 4:23am PDT

 

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A post shared by Catriona Gray (@catriona_gray) on Jun 28, 2016 at 4:01am PDT

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