Catriona Gray – a Manila-based television host, singer and model – of the Philippines has been named the winner of the Miss Universe pageant.
Flick through the photos below to see the moment she won, as well as the other finalists' reactions and contestants who took part, including Miss Spain, Angela Ponce, the first transgender woman to compete in the world-renowned beauty pageant.
Who is Catriona Gray?
The 24-year-old Australian-Filipina beat 92 other contestants from around the world to take the crown. The honour comes two years after she won the Miss World Philippines title.
According to organisers: "Catriona Elisa Gray is known to spontaneously burst into song, which is most likely due to her love of the arts and her Master Certificate in Music Theory.
"This model is openly passionate about her love for Filipino dishes, including abodo, balut, and the sweetest mangoes in the world."
Get to know Miss Universe Philippines 2018 and her journey to the crown.#MissUniverse airs LIVE Dec 16 at 7pm ET from Bangkok, Thailand only on @FOXtv. Who will take home the crown? pic.twitter.com/Xy5svnKNxt
— Miss Universe (@MissUniverse) December 14, 2018
Miss Universe 2018
The 2018 competition took place in the Thai capital Bangkok. South Africa's Tamaryn Green was the runner up, while third place went to Sthefany Gutierrez of Venezuela.
You're second Top 3 contestant tonight is....#MissUniverse SOUTH AFRICA! 🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/tQ8yZhDmh6
— Miss Universe (@MissUniverse) December 17, 2018
Gray succeeds the 2017 winner, Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters of South Africa. She is the fourth woman from the Philippines to win the prestigious title, the latest being model and actress Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach in 2015.
The theme of the 67th Miss Universe pageant was 'Empowered Women'. The contestants were judged by seven women, including former winners, businesswomen and a fashion designer.
'Pinoy Power'
People on Twitter were pleased to see Gray do well, including model Tyra Banks, who wrote "Pinoy Power to the Max!!!" in support.
I mean...Pinoy Power to the Max!!! https://t.co/ar22wLvw2k
— Tyra Banks (@tyrabanks) December 15, 2018
Many fellow Filipinos also expressed their support and pride using the hashtag #CatrionaForMissUniverse.
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Read more:
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Australian tabloid claims Aussie 'ownership' of Filipina Miss Universe Catriona Gray
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