Catriona Elisa Magnayon Gray (English: /ˈkætrɪɔːnəˌ kɑːt-/ KAT-ree-aw-nə, KAHT-; Tagalog: [ˌkaːtɾiˈɔː.na]; born January 6, 1994) is an Australian-born Filipino model, singer, television host, advocate, ambassador and beauty queen best known for winning the title of Miss Universe 2018.

[12][13] Furthermore, Gray was lead singer of her school's jazz band; she also starred in local productions of Miss Saigon.

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.

[20] 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?".

[26] 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.

[31] 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?".

[37] During the national costume show presentation on December 10, Gray wore a beaded tribal suit featuring the indigenous tribes of the ancient pagan Filipinos, alongside an oversized Parol painted lantern pulled by a roller device.

The costume gained both praise and criticism, due to the perceived difficulty of walking and the failure of LEDs to function.

[39][40] In the pageant's preliminary contest, Gray did a slow-motion walk, billed as the "lava walk", on the ramp in the swimwear competition wearing a pink swimsuit, which was praised by supermodels Tyra Banks and Ashley Graham,[41] fashion commentators and Internet viewers.

[53][31] Its body-fitting, bare back design features a side cutout and a high slit that "highlighted Gray's legs".

[54][55][56] The dress, which according to Tumang weighed 10 pounds, was a tribute to Mayon Volcano, a tourist attraction in the province of Albay, the hometown of Gray's mother.

[57][58] In an interview, Gray decided to pick the gown for the beauty pageant as her mother dreamed of her winning the Miss Universe crown wearing a red dress.

[61] During the first question and answer round, Gray was asked by host Steve Harvey, "Canada recently joined Uruguay as the second nation in the world to make marijuana legal.

And I would bring this aspect as a Miss Universe to see situations with a silver lining, and to assess where I could give something, where I could provide something as a spokesperson.

And this I think if I could also teach people to be grateful, we could have an amazing world where negativity could not grow and foster, and children will have a smile on their faces.At the end of the event, Gray won the competition and was crowned by her predecessor, Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters of South Africa.

[47][63] If the 1st runner-up Tamaryn Green of South Africa won the competition, she would've made the first consecutive country winners in the history of Miss Universe, as Miss Universe 2017 was Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters, 2018 Tamaryn Green, and 2019 Zozibini Tunzi, all from South Africa.

[65][66]On December 20, 2018, Gray made a courtesy call with President Rodrigo Duterte at the Villamor Airbase in Pasay.

[83] Gray served as a local ambassador for the 2023 FIBA World Cup and participated in the final draw for the tournament.

[84][85] Gray has advocated for women's rights,[86] indigenous culture conservation, and the "One Town, One Product" (OTOP) project of the Philippines' Department of Trade and Industry.

[94] Gray responded strongly when she was drawn into the Philippines' Red-tagging issue, due to an incident in October 2020 when AFP Southern Luzon Command commander Antonio Parlade Jr.[95][53] said that Gray and actress Liza Soberano should not support Gabriela and other rights groups, as fellow celebrity Angel Locsin has done, or they would be drawn into the activities of the Marxist-Leninist-Maoist New People's Army,[95] and risk being killed in a clash with the army just like activists who had allegedly joined that group.

[55][96] In September 2024, Gray won a cyber libel case against entertainment editor Janice Navida and writer Melba Llanera, both of whom work for the tabloid Bulgar.