Quotes from Catriona Gray

Even though my label is that of a beauty queen, I'm not going to limit myself to that, just because that's my title.

I just constantly tell myself that I should be the only one to define my worth and what I'm capable of and how I perceive myself. And that I should never source that worth from other people, especially strangers on social media. They don't know who I am, the length of my journey, who I am as a person.

If I could teach people to be grateful, we could have an amazing world where negativity could not grow and foster, and children would have a smile on their face.

I was born in Cairns, Queensland. Then my parents and I moved to Sydney. We moved to New Wales. We moved around Australia. I was just really close to my parents, and actually, we moved around a lot when I was very young. I think it played a big part in making me the shy teenager that I was.

When I was young, I did varied after-school activities - I did art, drama, science, math. I'm not the sporty kind of person, but I did get a certificate on outdoor recreation.

I loved numbers from a very young age. I feel like my mom led me there because, instead of giving me Game Boy and PlayStations and a TV, she gave me educational software on our family computer for Math and stuff.

So many people look up to pageants, including young girls and young boys. The message that I would hate to send to them is that you're only deemed worthy of a title or worthy of recognition or of success if you fit in a certain number.

I love my parents so much. My day or night is not complete without talking to them - on Skype.

Ever since Binibini, I've really been hands-on since I've been an independent candidate. I'm hands-on in every single aspect of my preparations because I'm having so much fun.

I can sing in my head and rearrange the tune of a song, note per note. I am a nerd.

I've been modeling since 2012, when I was 18, so I am used to following a crazy schedule.

I am very open to learning. I am like a sponge: I'd like to soak up in new things, new skills.

Some people think that confidence is something that some people just have. Even though I may look confident strutting in a two-piece on a stage, there are days when I'm so nervous, or I feel like, 'Oh my gosh, I don't know if I can do this.'

I loved school as a kid. I was a bit of a nerd.

I may now carry the sash of Miss Universe, but I'll forever be your Miss Philippines.

When I was 13, my mom said she had a dream that I would win Miss Universe in a red dress.

We Filipinos bond over food, music, dance, and shares stories. And to Filipinos, no matter who you are and where you come from, you always have an invitation to celebration.

I have always used my platform to speak about positivity in social media when it comes to pageantry because it is one of the main problems I have experienced.

I'm proud of my body. I feel strong in my body.

I feel everything very strongly, and I find that when I sing through music, it helps me connect to people.

Miss Universe is someone who communicates her thoughts effectively and is able to connect to people.