- Catriona Gray criticized by fellow beauty queens on winning the Best in Swimsuit Award
- Mariel de Lean defended Catriona by telling people it’s not about the body shape
- Catriona won four other awards other than the Best in Swimsuit
The crowned Ms. Universe-Philippines, Catriona Gray, in this year’s Bb. Pilipinas has received several critics, viewers and co-beauty queens alike, on how she won the Best in Swimsuit award.
The award was questioned by two former beauty queens, Maggie Wilson and Bea Rose Santiago, who posted in their respective social media accounts that Catriona does not deserve the award claiming that she is not the best body in the competition.
Mariel de Leon, Bb. Pilipinas-International 2017, and Katarina Rodriguez, Bb. Pilipinas-Intercontinental 2017, backed the judges’ decision and supported Catriona in this award. They believe she is deserving to be Best in Swimsuit.
Mariel defended that the award is not about who’s got the best body, but who carries it beautifully and with confidence. Mariel can relate to this bashing since she herself was a victim of such criticism. She always tells people to look beyond the physical appearance.
“I always talk about loving your body no matter what shape, what size and always loving yourself,” Mariel de Leon said. “It may be a beauty pageant, but times have changed. It’s different now.”
Catriona Gray, on the other hand, shares the same attitude when dealing with bashers. She promotes self-love and respects other people’s opinions.
Catriona, in the competition, did not just won the Best in Swimsuit award, but also won as Pitoy Moreno Best in National Costume Award, Miss Ever Bilena, Jag Denim Queen, and Best in Long Gown.
