Miss Universe-Philippines Catriona Gray may be a foreigner in Thailand, where the next international queen will be crowned on December 17, but she feels right at home with the surprising amount of support she has received from locals, aside from the Filipinos based there.
Gray has been in Bangkok, Thailand since late November to participate in Miss Universe’s numerous pre-pageant events leading up to the finals to be held at Impact Arena.
Speaking with ABS-CBN News’ Dyan Castillejo, Gray said she was not expecting to be welcomed warmly by Thai pageant fans, who, like Filipinos, are avid followers of Miss Universe and similar international competitions.
“Usually it’s like a sibling rivalry between the Philippines and Thailand when it comes to Miss Universe, but this year I don’t really feel that. Parang sobrang friendly talaga ng mga Thai sa akin,” she said.
In the sit-down interview, Gray also spoke of the meticulous preparations for all aspects of her bid to become the next Miss Universe, from her daily wardrobe, stage walk, to her social media presence; as well as the pageant sisterhood being welcoming of the first-ever transgender contestant, Spain’s Angela Ponce.
If Gray succeeds in being crowned Miss Universe, she would be the fourth Filipina to do so after Pia Wurtzbach in 2015, Margie Moran in 1973, and Gloria Diaz in 1969.