Past Miss Universe winners had special shoot in South Africa. But where was Catriona Gray?


Fellow Filipina beauty queen Pia Wurtzbach answers the fans’ question

Miss Universe 2020 Andrea Meza, Miss South Africa 2021 Lalela Lali, Miss South Africa 2020 Shudufhadzo Musiḓa; Miss Universe 2019 Zozibini Tunzi, Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach, Miss World 2014 Rolene Strauss; and Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray

Crowned Miss Universe beauties came to South Africa as it welcomed its newest representative to the prestigious pageant, Lalela Mswane.

The Miss South Africa pageant, which took place on Oct. 16, 2021, included Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach and the reigning Andrea Meza in its selection committee. While 2018 and 2019 winners Catriona Gray and Zozibini Tunzi hosted backstage activities of the contest. And in one special shoot, “a historic moment” happened when three of the Miss Universe titleholders posed with the queens of the South African pageant. But fans couldn’t help but ask the question, where was Catriona?

In the comment section, Pia explained why the beauty queen famous for her lava walk wasn’t in the shoot.

“Cat had an early flight this morning so she couldn’t make it to this shoot,” Pia said. “I agree it would have been better if she was there but this was also a last-minute plan from the org. She’s also very busy queen doing her work around the world.”

Pia also wished that maybe someday they could do another shoot with more Miss Universe winners, including France’s Iris Mittenaere (2016) and South Africa’s Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters (2017).

But if there's one thing for sure, that shoot did “break the internet.”