Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray recently flew to Colombia to judge the Miss Universe Colombia pageant. However, things did not go well. For her introduction, she was introduced as an Australian who represented the Philippines because she lived there for a few years.
“Australian by birth but represented Philippines after living for a few years there.”
In a video which she posted on Instagram, it was clear that Gray felt uncomfortable being introduced that way.
View this post on Instagram
As a result, netizens were quick to condemn how the host of the pageant presented the beauty queen.
Twitter user @maui_explores said in her Twitter that Gray is a Filipina and she represented the Philippines.
She said, “Ooops! there’s something wrong.. #MissUniverseColombia ; FYI it’s CATRIONA GRAY not GARAY, and she is a “FILIPINA” who represented the country “PHILIPPINES” at the @MissUniverse 2018. Thank you!”
https://twitter.com/maui_explores/status/1328584360287670272
@davidromuz agreed with @maui_explores saying that Catriona is a Filipina and everything was wrong in the pageant.
He wrote, “all was wrong in this pageant, of course Catriona is Filipina, queen forever <3.”
all was wrong in this pageant, of course Catriona is Filipina, queen forever <3
— David R. (@davidromuz) November 17, 2020
Some netizens also noticed the discomfort on Gray’s face as she was introduced. Twitter user @Jo_vian_18 wrote that her smile was fake because she was presented wrongly.
The netizen wrote, “Who wouldn’t fake a smile if your last name is like that. You’ve been introduced as “Australian by birth but represented Philippines after living for a few years there.” next pic: Catriona’s IG Story her photo with a “Filipina” word on it. #MissUniversecolombia2020 #CatrionaGray”
https://twitter.com/Jo_vian_18/status/1328569276286988288
Some noticed the surname of Catriona was misspelled as well.
Twitter user @AllergiCsayo noticed that Gray’s name was changed to “Garay”.
The netizen wrote, “Kapag ba nasa Columbia (sic) ka na mag che- change yung apelido mo ? Gray – Garay? Ang ganda niya talaga. Catriona Gray lang malakas.”
Kapag ba nasa Columbia ka na mag che- change yung apelido mo ?
Gray – Garay ?
Ang ganda niya talaga ❤️
Catriona Gray lang malakas. pic.twitter.com/pLaMhz9Q8L— lav U 🇵🇭 (@AllergiCsayo) November 17, 2020
In reply, the beauty queen posted on her Instagram ending all debate. She posted a picture with the caption, “Filipina” to emphasize that her nationality is Filipino and she represented the Philippines in the 2018 Miss Universe.
View this post on Instagram
Even a Puerto Rican journalist mentioned the IG story of Catriona stating that she is a “Filipina”. In his tweet he said, ““Filipina”, @catrionaelisa .Así respondió Miss Universo 2018 a la presentación que le hicieron en la final de Miss Universe Colombia 2020.”
[This is how Miss Universe 2018 responded to her performance in the Miss Universe Colombia 2020 final.]
https://twitter.com/rodz_harry/status/1328654198154682369
