Natalie Ackermann, national director of Miss Universe Colombia, has apologized to Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray for the mistakes committed when she sat as one of the judges in the Miss Universe Colombia 2020 beauty pageant last Tuesday.
Ackermann's full post:
"To MISS UNIVERSE 2018 CATRIONA GRAY and her management
"Miss Universe Colombia's quintessential essence is to promote and value UNITY, PEACE, COMPASSION, HUMILITY and KINDNESS and we would like to express our utmost gratitude to Catriona Gray as being one of the esteemed judges for Miss Universe Colombia, for supporting Smile Train and for spreading the positivity and kindness which is the paragon of the values that we also believe.
"We also would like to express our apologies for the mistake of her last name due to some language barrier and the announcement that she was born in Australia - the translated language that was sent for introduction is 'Born in Australia, from the Philippines who is Miss Universe 2018" it is honestly part of the cultural differences as here in Colombia, we regard the value of unity across cultural importance.
"We assure that there is no malice intended as we invited Catriona Gray in the first place because we believe in Filipinos and having a personal Dubai-based Filipino friend who is like a brother to me, I have always admired the Filipino culture and the kindness of the people from the Philippines.
"I hope that Catriona Gray will not take this matter against us and forgive us and our management. We are also absolutely thrilled to visit the beautiful country of the Philippines soon.
"Mahal ko kayong lahat and Mabuhay!"