Updated on Dec. 17, 2018, 11:35 a.m.
And Miss Universe 2018 is Catriona Gray!
Catriona bested 93 other contestants in the competition, which was held in Bangkok, Thailand. Miss Venezuela and Miss South Africa came in second and third place, respectively.
In the initial Q&A, she was asked about her thoughts on the legalization of marijuana. Her response was that she was okay with it for medicinal use, but not for recreational, and that similar with alcohol and cigarettes, everything needs to be used in moderation.
Her winning answer to the final question “What is the most important lesson you have learned in your life, and how would you apply it to your time as Miss Universe?” was how she learned to always look for the beauty in everything. She shared how working in the slums of Tondo, Manila taught her “to look in the beauty in the faces of the children and to be grateful.” She further said that as Miss Universe, she will “see situations with the silver lining, and assess where I could give something, where I could provide something as a spokesperson.”
She added that by teaching people to be grateful, “we could have an amazing world where negativity could not grow and foster, and children will have a smile on their faces.”
NEW QUEEN! Catriona Gray is #MissUniverse2018! 🇵🇭
Here's her winning answer! 👑 pic.twitter.com/FPSn0wjUZ2
— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) December 17, 2018
Catriona succeeds Miss Universe 2017 Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters of South Africa.
Congratulations, Catriona!
Photo courtesy of Catriona Gray’s Instagram account
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