Gray is reportedly named after her paternal grandmother, Catherine Gray (née Ross), an immigrant to Western Australia from Scotland in 1952 and Elsa Magnayon (née Ragas), her maternal grandmother from Oas, Albay, Philippines.
Gray was a student at Trinity Anglican School in Cairns where she was a house captain and a school chorister.
She received a graduate certificate in music theory from Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts.
In addition, she obtained a certificate in outdoor recreation and a black belt in Choi Kwang-Do martial arts.
Furthermore, Gray was lead singer of her school's jazz band; she also starred in local productions of Miss Saigon.
After graduating from high school, she moved to Manila where she worked as a commercial model.
1994
Catriona Elisa Magnayon Gray (born 6 January 1994) is an Australian born-Filipina model, singer, TV host, advocate, ambassador and beauty queen best known for winning the title of Miss Universe 2018.
She is the fourth Filipina to win the Miss Universe competition.
1999
Her foray into the world of pageantry began in 1999 when she won Little Miss Philippines in Sydney at the age of five.
2005
In Philippine beauty pageant history, Gray is the first Filipino to represent the country in both the Miss World and Miss Universe competitions, and the second to represent the Philippines in two major international pageants, the first being Carlene Aguilar in 2005.
At her national competition, United States Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Yong Kim asked the following: "After the devastating war—Marawi is now on its way to recovery, what will be your message to the young women of Marawi?":
"'My answer and my message to the women is to be strong. As women, we're the head of the household and we have amazing influence, not only in our own families, as mothers, sisters and friends, but also in our community. If we could get the women to stay strong and be that image of strength for the children and the people around them, then once the rebuilding is complete and is underway, the morale of the community will stay strong and high.'"
2015
During the question and answer portion, she was asked by the reigning Miss World 2015 Mireia Lalaguna, "Which qualities do you think it will take to wear my crown?", she answered:
"'I think, first of all, it takes bravery. To be a Miss World is to carry a burning torch. It is like action carried out by one to illuminate the lives of many. And I would dedicate my whole self, my love for the arts and my voice to try to uplift, empower and educate people. And it would be my greatest honor and duty to hold this torch high enough so that all the world could feel and see its light. Thank you.'"
Gray concluded her Miss World journey by finishing as a Top 5 finalist.
Stephanie Del Valle of Puerto Rico won the said pageant.
2016
Gray is currently working with an organization Young Focus Philippines since May 2016.
She is also a Love Yourself Philippines and Smile Train ambassador.
On 2 October 2016, Gray was crowned Miss World Philippines 2016 where she won the following special awards:
In addition, Gray won the following corporate endorsement awards:
During the Top 12 question and answer round she was asked, "When you get up in the morning and look in the mirror, what do you see?", she answered:
"'I see someone who is constantly trying to be better. I've always endured to always be better than the day before, to do things that challenge me, to do things outside the box. And something that is very fulfilling that I have found is when I look in the mirror, I want to see someone who gives back to the community, and that's someone who I achieve to be every single day.'"
During the final question and answer round all the five finalist were asked the same question, "Why should you be Miss World Philippines 2016?," Gray answered:
"'To be a Miss World is to be passed a torch that burns with passion and purpose. If I am to become Miss World Philippines, I will dedicate my voice and essence to carry that torch and to set charitable causes alight, such as my personal advocacy, the Paraiso Bright Beginnings Project. And I would focus on passing on this torch to empower others because I believe together there is no darkness in this world that our light cannot overcome.'"
After winning the national competition, Gray competed at Miss World 2016 held in MGM National Harbor, in Oxon Hill, Maryland, United States where she was placed in the Top 5.
Gray won the following awards:
2017
On 3 September 2017, Gray crowned Laura Lehmann as her successor at the Miss World Philippines 2017 pageant held at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, Philippines.
2018
Previously, Gray was crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2018 and Miss World Philippines 2016.
Catriona Elisa Magnayon Gray was born in Cairns, Queensland, Australia to an Australian father of Scottish descent, Ian Gray, and a Filipino mother, Normita Ragas Magnayon, from Oas, Albay, Philippines.
On 8 January 2018, Gray submitted her application to Binibining Pilipinas to officially join the 2018 national pageant.
8 days later, Binibining Pilipinas national director Stella Araneta confirmed that Gray will be officially competing at the Binibining Pilipinas 2018 pageant.
During the national costume competition, Gray wore a Muslim princess attire from Mindanao and bagged the national costume award.
On 18 March 2018, she was crowned as Miss Universe Philippines 2018 by the outgoing titleholder Rachel Peters.
Gray obtained the following corporate and contest awards:
She also obtained the following popularity contest prizes:
Gray represented the Philippines in the 2018 Miss Universe competition on 17 December 2018 held at IMPACT Arena, Muang Thong Thani in Nonthaburi Province, Thailand.
During the national costume show presentation, Gray showcased a beaded tribal suit featuring the indigenous tribes of the ancient pagan Filipinos, alongside an oversized Parol painted Christmas lantern pulled by a roller device.
The costume was accompanied by a pre-Christian Shamanic dance of the historical Babaylan paganism.
The costume gained both support and criticism, due to the perceived difficulty of walking and the failure of LEDs to function, whilst Gray cited her scoliosis ailment.
2019
On 9 June 2019, Gray crowned Gazini Ganados as her successor at the Binibining Pilipinas 2019 pageant held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, Philippines.
