November 24, 2024 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — Former Miss Universe Catriona Gray shared her thoughts on the recently concluded Miss Universe 2024 in Mexico, expressing pride in the Philippines’ representative, Chelsea Manalo, despite her not advancing to the Top 12.
Chelsea, however, was also declared the first Miss Universe Asia.
“If they were asking me as a judge, she would have been an easy Top 12 pick, but it’s in the judges’ hands,” Catriona, who was one of this year’s pageant commentators, said on the sidelines of last Friday’s Legacy Ball, her fundraising event for the benefit of her charity Young Focus.
“I’m really proud of her. I think she really stayed true to herself this whole journey. The pressure put on a Miss Philippines is one of a kind, especially for someone as young as her, and I think she carried herself with a lot of grace and authenticity.”
Catriona also admired Chelsea for staying grounded throughout the competition. “I don’t feel she ever changed herself, and I really admire that. I hope she’s feeling proud of her achievement as well. I am very happy and hopeful that we’ll have a fifth Miss Universe with all these learnings from 2018 up to now.”
As for Chelsea being named one of the four continental queens as Miss Universe Asia, she said, “I don’t really understand the system. As I understand it, I think it’s great… more countries representing alongside the reigning Miss Universe. I mean, sana group projects together, for goodwill or charity, etc. So, I think it’s a nice image of collaboration that is not just the one reigning throughout the whole year but a collection of queens.”
The beauty queen, who won the Miss Universe crown in 2018, candidly shared her personal thoughts about the Top 5 finalists, admitting that her own predictions didn’t align with the actual results. “I know, actually, the landing of the Top 5, I had different predictions. Of course, (mine included) Thailand and Nigeria because I put a lot of weight on Q&A. That’s the kind of judge I would be, if ever I were to sit in the seat.”
However, she acknowledged the subjective nature of the competition. “But that’s not to say that every judge is like that, and I don’t know the criteria of Miss Universe, actually, because I’ve never sat as a judge yet.”
On the crowning of Miss Denmark Victoria Kjær Theilvig as Miss Universe 2024, Catriona said, “I think Denmark will do an incredible job as our new Miss Universe. I’m sure she’ll be very well-traveled like her predecessor, so I’m excited for her as well.”
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