Catriona Gray says hosting Miss Universe 2022 was an ‘achievement unlocked’
Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray. Image: Instagram/@catriona_gray
Four editions have passed since Catriona Gray was crowned as Miss Universe 2018, but she still considers her hosting stint at the 2022 pageant to be a dream come true.
Gray took to her personal Instagram account on Monday, Jan. 16, to express her gratitude for the privilege to be part of the 71st Miss Universe as a backstage commentator.
The Filipina-Australian beauty queen was tapped to be a backstage commentator alongside “American Ninja Warrior” host Zuri Hall at the pageant’s coronation night last Saturday, Jan. 14 (morning of Jan. 15 in the Philippines), while Miss Universe 2012 Olivia Culpo and TV personality Jeannie Mai Jenkins served as the hosts.
“Achievement unlocked [emoji’ It’s always been a dream to be in the hosting line up of @missuniverse [emoji] Thank you so much @realpaulashugart @amyemmerich for the trust,” she said in the caption.
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Gray also thanked her styling team for working their “magic for me last minute” during her hosting stint. During the coronation night, she stunned pageant fans in a yellow tube dress, as well as a sky blue long-sleeved gown.
“Huge thanks to my styling team who worked magic for me last minute and found a way around not being able to have fittings (I was literally in Manila for a few hours to pack [emoji]) and being in the middle of holiday season! I appreciate you,” she said. “And to Mama @justine.aliman19 for stepping out of her usual role to be my everything this trip! [emoji] Love you!”
The beauty queen said it was also “such a pleasure” being a backstage commentator with Hall in a separate post.
“Loooved working with this amazingly talented being @zurihall ! Such a pleasure co hosting @missuniverse backstage with you! Between the laughs and the dancing, it almost didn’t feel like work at all,” Gray said.
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Gray was the fourth representative of the Philippines to be crowned as Miss Universe, following Pia Wurtzbach, Margarita Moran, and Gloria Diaz.
USA’s R’Bonney Gabriel was crowned as Miss Universe 2022 at the end of the pageant, succeeding Harnaaz Sandhu of India. The Filipina-American beauty queen bested 83 other contestants including the Philippines’ very own Celeste Cortesi. EDV
