The newly-crowned Miss Universe, Catriona Gray, has started her reign with a series of interviews in US TV shows on Monday, January 7.
She first appeared on “Good Morning America” where she shared her passion in helping less-fortunate children, an advocacy that she started back home.
The Filipino pride has also talked about her mother who once dreamed about her being crowned as Miss Universe wearing a red gown, which became a reality when she took home the 4th crown for the Philippines during the finals night held in Bangkok, Thailand.
The 25-year-old beauty queen donned a bright yellow dress in the interview with host Ginger Zee, who was awe-impressed by her beauty and wit.
She expressed her willingness to share her talent in singing to advance her advocacy in helping children go to school.
Meanwhile, Gray also guested on “Live Kelly and Ryan” show where she made an entrance by wearing her contagious smile.
The hosts greeted her a happy birthday, and then she shared that she celebrated her special day in New York. They discussed her experience of joining her first “pageant” back in 1999 when she was just 5 years old. This was when she joined the noontime show Eat Bulaga’s Little Miss Philippines.
Kelly told Catriona: “I’ve gotta tell you, I don’t know how tall you are in this photo, but you’re unchanged.”
Catriona said in jest that she did not actually go through transformative puberty. However, she shared that she experienced being awkward about her height. She said: “When I was 12, I was 5’8 tall.”
Ryan Seacrest then joked: “I’m 44 years old and I’m 5’8.”
When she talked about her advocacy, the newly crowned Miss Universe showed off her eloquence in speaking her mind and heart. “I really believe that education is transformative. It’s something that you can give to your child or to a person that can never be taken away from them, which is why I am so passionate about it.”
She added: “I work with an organization called Young Focus Philippines, and they give quality access to education. These kids, without NGOs (non-government organizations) like that, might not ever experience going to school or experience developing their love for learning. At the end of the day, that’s what can really pull up a family out of poverty.”
Her statement made Seacrest say: “Wow! I’m thinking. Your parents must be remarkable.”
