Miss Philippines Catriona Gray has been declared Miss Universe 2018 at the grand event held in Impact, Muang Thong Thani, Bangkok, Thailand. Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters of South Africa crowned Catriona Gray as her successor. The final three names contesting for Miss Universe 2018 crown were Miss Philippines Catriona Gray, Miss South Africa Tamaryn Green and Miss Venezuela Sthefany Gutiérrez. Venezuela's Sthefany Gutiérrez is the second runner-up while Tamaryn Green is the first runner-up. 2018 marked the 67th year of this coveted beauty pageant. Comedian and TV host Steve Harvey hosted the beauty pageant and model and entrepreneur Ashley Graham was the backstage host who took viewers behind the scenes. Who Is Catriona, Miss Universe 2018? Miss Philippines Wins the 67th Miss Universe Crown! (See Pics).

Thailand hosted the beauty competition for the third time after 1992 and 2005 and have won the crown twice in 1965 and 1988. Contestants from 94 countries participated in the contest this year. Nehal Chudasama from India who was crowned the Miss Diva 2018 also represented the country at Miss Universe 2018.

Grammy-winning singer, songwriter and record producer NE-YO performed at the event. TV personality and style guru Carson Kressley along with supermodel and pageant expert Lu Sierra teamed up once again to provide analysis and commentary throughout the live telecast. Miss Universe's website says, "2018 selection committee is the first-ever all-women panel made up of entrepreneurs, business leaders and industry experts, some of whom are former Miss Universe titleholders."

You Can Watch Video of Interview with Newly Crowned Miss Universe

Miss Spain Angela Ponce had grabbed headlines for being the first openly transgender contestant in the pageant's 66-year-history. Indian contender Nehal Chudasama was praised by Tollywood industry for National Costume round where she dressed in a Rani Rudhramadevi inspired costume.  During the swimsuit round, Miss Philippines Catriona Elisa Magnayon Gray's slo-mo twirl had set the social media talking.

Earlier Miss USA Sarah Rose Summers and Miss Australia Francesca Hung was criticised for appearing to mock the contestants Miss Vietnam H'Hen Nie and Miss Cambodia Rern Sinat for unable to speak proper English. A video of them making fun of the contestants went viral on social media garnering negative reactions. Following which Rose posted an apology on Instagram saying she did not "intend to hurt" her fellow competitors.

As Miss World 2018 held in Sanya, China on December 8, Vanessa Ponce de Leon from Mexico was crowned as Miss World. Manushi Chhillar, Miss World 2017 who won the prestigious pageant for India crowned Vanessa as her successor.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 17, 2018 08:30 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).