For a second, some Filipino viewers of the Miss Universe preliminary competition weren’t sure if the live stream from Bangkok suddenly had a hiccup as Philippines bet Catriona Gray emerged on stage, apparently in slow motion.

(See Gray’s preliminary swimsuit performance at the 46:32 mark in the video below.)

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Gray had just started her walk for the swimsuit competition when she twirled and the “lag” was noticed by pageant fans online. But the “slow-mo” spin, it turned out, was choreographed to end with a swift hair flip and snappy hip swing that commanded attention.

Here’s a frame-by-frame look at that moment:

Catriona Gray starts her swimsuit walk in the preliminary competition with a twirl that starts slowly and ends swiftly. YouTube: Miss Universe

Catriona Gray starts her swimsuit walk in the preliminary competition with a twirl that starts slowly and ends swiftly. YouTube: Miss Universe

Catriona Gray starts her swimsuit walk in the preliminary competition with a twirl that starts slowly and ends swiftly. YouTube: Miss Universe

Catriona Gray starts her swimsuit walk in the preliminary competition with a twirl that starts slowly and ends swiftly. YouTube: Miss Universe

Catriona Gray starts her swimsuit walk in the preliminary competition with a twirl that starts slowly and ends swiftly. YouTube: Miss Universe

Catriona Gray starts her swimsuit walk in the preliminary competition with a twirl that starts slowly and ends swiftly. YouTube: Miss Universe

Catriona Gray starts her swimsuit walk in the preliminary competition with a twirl that starts slowly and ends swiftly. YouTube: Miss Universe

Catriona Gray starts her swimsuit walk in the preliminary competition with a twirl that starts slowly and ends swiftly. YouTube: Miss Universe

Catriona Gray starts her swimsuit walk in the preliminary competition with a twirl that starts slowly and ends swiftly. YouTube: Miss Universe

Catriona Gray starts her swimsuit walk in the preliminary competition with a twirl that starts slowly and ends swiftly. YouTube: Miss Universe

Catriona Gray starts her swimsuit walk in the preliminary competition with a twirl that starts slowly and ends swiftly. YouTube: Miss Universe

Catriona Gray starts her swimsuit walk in the preliminary competition with a twirl that starts slowly and ends swiftly. YouTube: Miss Universe

Going by Gray’s cumulative pageant efforts in recent months, the “slow-mo twirl,” as fans have now dubbed it online, may very well have been a calculated one to go with her “lava walk” for maximum impact.

And it worked, as evidenced by the flood of comments about her swimsuit competition performance on Thursday night. Here are some of them:

catriona’s walk and stare ughhhh she is carrying the Philippines with so much passion and love #Philippines #MissUniverse pic.twitter.com/mFVDLF54Pb

— Jo Tolentino (@_vhnprz) December 13, 2018

Ang galing ni Catriona mag slow-mo parang spaghetti na linasap tapos biglang hinigop ng mabilis HAHAHAHAHA what an analogy

— Lord (@lordnicolas_) December 13, 2018

Catriona's turn only LOOKS slow mo because she was spotting. Basically gazing at a spot while her body turns then whipping her head as she completes the turn. Idk if ya girl a ballerina but it's a neat trick pic.twitter.com/FwKlnB5xQB

— Gigi 💋 (@gigi_dancing) December 13, 2018

This slow mo cleared my skin and took away my stress. Catriona went to WERQ #MissUniverse2018 👑 https://t.co/7vbazC70qp

— Tazjana 🌟 (@toitanya) December 13, 2018

Catriona Gray was the first ever contestant to do live slow mo in #missuniverse chrt. 😱😂pic.twitter.com/vZAjOCSdyH

— Korte Supremo 👨🏻‍⚖️ (@KorteSupremo_) December 13, 2018

omg mga 10++ times ko na pinapanood yung slow mo turn ni catriona gray wtf ang ganda??????????????

— Vian Marie Paguio (@paguiocity) December 13, 2018

BET NA BET KO YUNG SLOW MOTION NI CATRIONA GRAY ANG SARAP GAWIN SA MGA TAONG DI NANINIWALA SA KAKAYAHAN MO TAPOS IKUTAN MO NG GANYAN PANEEEEESSSSSS#MissUniverse #MissPhilippines

— Rheane Martinez (@FebbruaRheaness) December 13, 2018

Long strides, swaying hips, facial expression and that slow-mo twirl ? Yup that's how you slay the CATwalk #MissUniverse2018 #CatrionaGray #MissPhilippines 👑✨

📷: Vogue Thailand pic.twitter.com/VTCBftufFF

— Ерецца Маы 🌹 (@ereccapatena) December 13, 2018

When all past #MissPhilippines got their signature walk, @catrionaelisa got the #SlowMoTwirl #MissUniverse2018 https://t.co/aORCDd5OwG

— Jericho M. Fernandez 🇵🇭 (@iJerichoMF) December 13, 2018

How she nailed that slow-mo twirl, how she slain her high-slit gown OMG. I. AM. LIVING FOR. IT. SISTERRRRR!!! #MissUniverse2018 #MissPhilippines 🔥💖💯🇵🇭

— WALTER (@waltyperry) December 13, 2018

darating ang araw na masasama sa choreo ko ang manual slow mo turn ni catriona itaga niyo sa bato sabay lunok at sigaw ng darnaaaaaaa

— jepoy (@sexbombjepoy) December 13, 2018

I mean, if this weren’t live??? iisipin kong edited yung pa slow mo effect ni Catriona HUHUH her walk has reached THAT level of perfection ✨#MissUniversePhilippines #MissUniverse

— ㅤLi Balt (@LiLiHadid) December 13, 2018

First time ko napasigaw ng "wow" bigla at nigoosebumps sa pageant. Naloka ako mga mumsh may sariling slow mo app sa katawan yung ate girl niyo!!! OMG ang galing ni Catriona!!! Grabeng lava walk yan!!! #MissUniverse2018

— Paulet Udarbe (@pauletriciel) December 13, 2018

PHILIPPINES RIGHT NOW AFTER SEEING CATRIONA’S SLOW MO SWIMSUIT WALK + LONG GOWN TWIRL. pic.twitter.com/EES4KvDGLM

— DEWANIE KIM ♥️ (@waniedoo) December 13, 2018

YUNG SLOW MO NI CATRIONA PAANO??? ASKING FOR A FRIEND!!

— kimm hadap (@kimmalulalei) December 13, 2018

Is there anything more beautiful than Catriona's slow-mo twirl

— uwu (@mamirajartinez) December 13, 2018

RIP play button, that slow-mo turn (akala mo edited) with fierce on her face. You slayed it Catriona Gray! Bring home the crown😘

— AppleLonzaga (@lonzagapple) December 13, 2018

Updated software ni Catriona, built in man slow mo niya. Clap, clap, clap, GORGEOUS! https://t.co/9M7CJEvAeh

— Yel (@carealmay) December 13, 2018

Pinagpalit ko ang panonood ng Halik sa Preliminary Competition ng Miss Universe 2018. Worth to watch and support our Miss Philippines!! 🇵🇭 That slow-mo twirl of yours, Catriona!! 🔥#MissUniverse #MissUniverse2018 #CatrionaGray pic.twitter.com/q8qHS6GzSa

— Anya Molina-Buco (@anyabuco) December 13, 2018

can go lesby bec of catriona 😍 did u guys just see that slow-mo turn during swimsuit competition???? uwian na huy hahaha

— Jen Rey (@nitrojenrey) December 13, 2018

did anyone else watch Miss Universe tonight? did you guys see that slow-mo twirl of Catriona? AHHHH pic.twitter.com/U6gsr2eyQ9

— lou 💫 | semi-ia (@daomingcai) December 13, 2018

What a night. Thank you giving your best, Catriona. I got swayed with your slow-mo twirl. ANG GALING MOOOOO. GO GET THAT CROWN HONEY.#MissUniverse2018

— liel; exam namin (@saintliel) December 13, 2018

Aside from the swimsuit competition, the preliminary pageant also saw the candidates taking turns on stage in their evening gowns.

• Miss Universe prelims: Catriona dazzles in long gown competition

The preliminary competition will determine the top 20 to be announced on coronation day on December 17.

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.