MANILA – Catriona Gray left pageant fans in awe during the Miss Universe 2018 preliminary competition on Thursday.

Her “slow-mo twirl” – as dubbed by netizens – during the swimsuit round was particularly memorable, with videos of her performance going viral online.

• Catriona Gray’s ‘slow-mo twirl’ in Miss Universe prelims captivates fans

In an interview with ABS-CBN News’ Dyan Castillejo on Friday, Gray revealed that preparing for her pageant walk has been “a very slow process” that started way before she competed in Binibining Pilipinas.

“It’s been a process ever since before Binibini,” she said, referring to the national pageant that allowed her to represent the Philippines in Miss Universe. “I’ve been training with my mentor, Carlos Buendia.”

“It’s just been a very slow process. Why? Because it really evolves as time goes on, and you start to change the way you walk.”

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A post shared by Dyan Castillejo (@dyancastillejo) on Dec 13, 2018 at 7:31pm PST

While Gray confirmed that the “slow-mo twirl” was intentional, the beauty queen admitted that it turned out better than she expected.

“I don’t even know how I did that!” she said, laughing.

“My mentor kuya Caloy, or Carlos, he always taught me that when I turn, I should snap back. Like when you dance, right? So I think that’s what carried the hair,” she added.

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A post shared by Dyan Castillejo (@dyancastillejo) on Dec 13, 2018 at 8:33pm PST

Gray is hoping to win the Philippines’ fourth Miss Universe crown after Pia Wurtzbach (2015), Margie Moran (1973), and Gloria Diaz (1969).

The Miss Universe 2018 coronation will be held in Bangkok, Thailand on Monday, December 17. It will be aired live on ABS-CBN channel 2 starting 8 a.m.