READ: Catriona Gray reveals how she overcomes challenges of being Miss Universe
“My life has changed so much, guys,” Catriona Gray exclaimed when asked about the changes in her life after winning Miss Universe.
The 25-year-old Pinay beauty queen, who is currently in the Philippines to officially celebrate her win with the Filipino community, related how her life has changed in an instant after being crowned as Miss Universe.
“Since that crown was placed on my head, everything just almost feeling like in an instant my life has changed.
“I went from being a voice to the Philippine to a voice to the international audience,” she told the media during the media conference for her homecoming festivities yesterday, February 20.
While fans and followers often see her glammed up attending different functions and events, Catriona admits that behind all these are little challenges that come with her new responsibility as a beauty queen.
She said, “With that, there comes a little bit of pressure, but there's also an amazing opportunity.
“And throughout the last two months, it's been something that I've been navigating with the guidance of my Miss Universe family, also with the people who've surrounded me and who have supported me.
“The things that I do that I'm challenged with, of course, being away from home, being away from my friends and my family. But I also realized that this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in a year.
“Even though the year will just go by so fast, so I really have been busy making plans about things that I want to do during my reign.
“And I really hope to leave a positive impact as a Miss Universe 2018.”
READ: Catriona Gray featured in Vogue Magazine
Being a Miss Universe can be a little overwhelming, so Catriona said it's important to always keep important people close to her to always stay grounded.
“This is something that I feel like I will really be tested on this year,” she said.
“Just because really as a titleholder, you're flung into that platform overnight.
“There's no gradual build, it's just you're crowned and you're there.
“I always just remind myself why I do what I do. Why I have Miss Universe, why I pursue this in the first place?
“For me, it's my advocacy. For me, it's to give that organization or that cause a voice on a bigger platform.
“But also, I feel like a lot of it is going to be about me keeping my friends and family close.
“I feel like it's always important to have people around you that you trust to kind of keep you in check. I feel like, 'Hey, Cat, it's time to settle down.'
“Or you know, just people that you love that kind of keeps you in check. I feel very blessed that I do have that circle of friends and I do that have family and that's how I'm gonna deal with it.”
IN PHOTOS: Welcome home, Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray!