About
Catriona Elisa Magnayon Gray is a Filipina-Australian model, singer, television host, and advocate whose star rose globally after she brought home the Miss Universe 2018 crown, the Philippines’ fourth. Born in Cairns, Queensland, on January 6, 1994, she has since stitched together an energetic career that moves easily from fashion runways to recording studios and from glittering pageant stages to grassroots charity events. Her post-crown life remains busy: she stepped behind the camera as an on-air commentator for Miss Universe 2024 in Mexico City, adding fresh insider color to the broadcast. December 2024 saw the cleft-care group Smile Train present her with its Global Goodwill Ambassador Impact Award, a nod to five years of volunteer work. And in April 2025 she literally “walked the talk,” finishing Manila’s Earth Day Run alongside thousands of sustainability enthusiasts. Gray, now 31, shows that a modern beauty queen can juggle entertainment, entrepreneurship, and empathy without dimming any of them.
Before Fame
Gray grew up in a multicultural household: her father, Ian, is Scottish-Australian, while her mother, Normita, hails from Albay in the Philippines. Choir rehearsals and theater classes at Trinity Anglican School in Cairns filled her childhood, and a weekend victory in a Sydney “Little Miss Philippines” contest hinted early at her pageant potential. Music, however, was her first love; she later completed online courses in music theory, ear training, and harmony with Berklee College of Music, sharpening skills that now surface in her songwriting sessions. A black-belt in Choi Kwang-Do and former lead singer of her school jazz band, she also dipped into community theater, starring in a local staging of Miss Saigon. After high school she moved to Manila, signed with a modeling agency, and soon collected national titles—Miss World Philippines 2016 and, two years later, Miss Universe Philippines 2018—before capturing the universe itself in Bangkok.
Trivia
- The “lava walk.” Her slow-mo runway strut at Miss Universe’s preliminaries—nicknamed the “lava walk” after Mayon Volcano—went viral and drew social-media praise from Tyra Banks.
- Wax twin. Madame Tussauds Singapore unveiled her wax figure in 2022 wearing the fiery red Mak Tumang gown that inspired the famous walk.
- Singer-songwriter. Gray writes as well as sings. “Love Language” (2021) showed off jazzy R&B vibes, while her earlier charity single “We’re In This Together” (2018) raised funds for youth education in Manila.
- Health advocate. Diagnosed with scoliosis at 12, she now shares early-detection tips online and speaks about body confidence.
- Fitness first. Beyond pageants, she joined the 2025 Earth Day fun-run, calling it “a medal for Mother Earth.”
Family Life
Catriona often credits her parents’ cross-cultural upbringing for her curiosity and resilience. Close to her Filipino relatives, she frequently spotlights Bicolano weavers and artisans on her platforms. In her private life she previously dated actor-model Clint Bondad (2012-2019). She later confirmed a relationship with actor-singer Sam Milby in 2020; the pair announced their engagement on February 16, 2023 but quietly ended it, a split Milby acknowledged publicly in February 2025. Despite the personal change, Gray notes that both remain supportive of each other’s careers. She also renewed her Christian faith in 2024, saying the step grounded her hectic schedule.
Associated With
Gray’s circle is as diverse as her résumé. She teams up with fellow Miss Universe titleholder Pia Wurtzbach on HIV-awareness drives for the NGO LoveYourself PH, proving that sister queens can turn crowns into collaboration. In the world of philanthropy she is synonymous with Smile Train, traveling to surgical missions and fundraising galas in Manila, Nairobi, and New York. Pageant aspirants across continents cite her influence; Miss Universe Serbia 2024 openly credited Gray’s poise for inspiring her own journey. On television Gray shares backstage duties with hosts such as Zuri Hall, blending playful banter with pageant insight during Miss Universe broadcasts. Professionally she was once linked to actor-musician Sam Milby, recording a live duet of “We’re In This Together” long before romance rumors surfaced.
