Catriona Gray, 24, Miss Philippines, was elected Miss Universe in Bangkok, beating the competitors of 93 other countries. Gray, who wore a red dress that was inspired by a volcano in her country, said she chose that color “because when I was 13 my mother dreamed that I became Miss Universe and I wore a red dress.”
Gray was elected by a jury of women only, for the first time in the history of the competition.
The Philippines, where beauty contests are very popular, have greeted the victory with great enthusiasm