Steve Harvey got it right on the first attempt this time round as he correctly announced Catriona Gray from the Philippines as the Miss Universe 2018.
Beating out 93 other beauties, the Miss Universe Philippines denied a second consecutive win for South Africa with the country’s representative Tamaryn Green finishing first runners up.
Sthefany Gutierrez of Venezuela was third during the pageant’s conclusion in Bangkok, Thailand on December 17.
Kenya’s representative Wabaiya Kariuki, who graduated from Daystar University with a degree in Actuarial Science over the weekend, missed out on the final competition which saw the 94 contestants cut down to 20.
According to the competition’s format, the top 20 was arrived at during a closed interview session days to the main event. The judges were looking for five contestants each drawn from four continental regions.
The pairing of Africa with the Asia Pacific region ended up limiting the African continent’s chances, as South Africa became the only country from the continent to feature in the top 20.
https://www.facebook.com/MissUniverseKE/videos/2097307480580277/
Ms. Kariuki has said that she will use her position as Miss Universe Kenya to advocate for mental health awareness among the youth.
“In 2017 we lost a friend to suicide without a clue of what he was going through. I researched and realised that mental health is an unaddressed issue in Kenya yet we have a huge youth population. I would like to create awareness about mental health, help end the stigma and encourage the youth to seek help if they are struggling with depression or other mental health aspects,” she told Standard Digital.
Miss Universe Kenya had however walked the runway in earlier stages of the competition, including the preliminary competition that included a bathing suit and evening gown contest, as well as wearing a dress inspired by the all-female Samburu village of Umoja Uaso during the national costume show.
Miss Universe support for legalised marijuana
The newly crowned Miss Universe 2018 is the fourth Filipina to hold the crown and received the honour two years after finishing in the top 5 of the Miss World contest.
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In the final Q & A round, Ms. Gray said her experience working with children in the slums of Tondo in Manila (Philippines) had taught her to “look in the beauty of the children” and be grateful.
This aspect, she said, is what she would bring to the Miss Universe crown in order to be a spokesperson who would create “an amazing world where negativity could not grow and foster and children will have smile on their faces.”
In an earlier round, the Miss Universe 2018 said that she supported the legalisation of marijuana, but not for recreational use.
“I’m for it being used for medical use, but not so for recreational use. Because I think if people will argue then what about alcohol and cigarettes? Everything is good but in moderation.”
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