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Miss Universe Thailand Tharina Botes Says She Looks Up to Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray

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<div style="text-align:left"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1787611863255miss universe thailand tharina botes says she looks up to miss universe 2018 catriona gray (1).png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner">Miss Universe Thailand 2026 Tharina Botes and Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray | Photos from @tharina_botes @missuniverse</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>Women inspiring women—that has always been one of the goals of pageants like Miss Universe. And proof that that purpose has been served can be seen when a queen shares how much a fellow queen has inspired her. The newly crowned <strong>Miss Universe Thailand 2026</strong>, <strong>Tharina Botes</strong>,<strong></strong> did just that during the pageant&#x27;s coronation night when she mentioned <strong>Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray</strong> from the Philippines.</p><p>During the Q&amp;A portion, Tharina Botes from Bangkok was asked: &quot;Which Miss Universe has inspired you the most and why?&quot;</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1787612304961785642564_18616145728043858_7150318923272632324_n.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo from @tharina_botes</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>To which, the 29-year-old beauty queen and businesswoman replied: &quot;Oh my gosh! My favorite Miss Universe would definitely have to be Catriona Gray from the Philippines. For me, she is the ultimate package. She won here in Thailand with her slow-mo &#x27;Lava Walk.&#x27; The way she turned. And the way she speaks, she&#x27;s so articulate and passionate. She&#x27;s my inspiration, and I hope to be like her. And she really told me that when we work hard, and with determination, and believe in ourselves, we can achieve anything we set our minds to.&quot;</p><p>Further talking about how Catriona has been such a positive influence on her, Tharina even shared a bit of the Filipina beauty queen&#x27;s journey before Miss Universe: &quot;And even though she did not place at Miss World, she showed us that rejection is just redirection. And she came back to win Miss Universe.&quot;</p><p>Tharina looked so confident and at ease onstage that she even managed to make an adorable side note: &quot;And she followed me on Instagram the other day. I&#x27;m so happy.&quot;</p><p>She ended her answer with a shoutout to Catriona and the Philippines: &quot;<em>Mahal kita</em>, Catriona Gray, and the Philippines. <em></em></p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1787612910919783616864_18615898993043858_2073318470040781025_n.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo from @tharina_botes</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><p style="text-align:left">After being crowned Miss Universe Thailand 2026, Tharina took to Instagram to celebrate her win, captioning a post with one of Catriona&#x27;s famous quotes: &quot;To everyone with a dream, know that your dreams are valid, and on your path, you are never denied and only redirected.&quot;</p><p style="text-align:left">Catriona commented on Tharina&#x27;s post and congratulated her on her win: &quot;Aw congratulations @tharina_botes !! Im so flattered by your answer! Never denied and only redirected indeed! All the best on your journey kha!&quot;</p><p style="text-align:left">Beyond Miss Universe, Catriona is also a model, singer, actress, and advocate for women&#x27;s rights and the conservation of indigenous culture. </p><p style="text-align:left">Tharina Botes will represent Thailand at Miss Universe 2026, where the Philippine representative is Bea Millan-Windorski. The 75th edition of Miss Universe will take place in Puerto Rico this November. </p><div style="text-align:left"><br/></div><p style="text-align:left">Lead photos from <strong>@tharina_botes @missuniverse</strong></p>

'She's My Inspiration': Miss Universe Thailand 2026 Tharina Botes Honors Catriona Gray in Final Q&A

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'She's My Inspiration': Miss Universe Thailand 2026 Tharina Botes Honors Catriona Gray in Final Q&A

Grace Libero

Published August 25, 2026 07:00 AM PHT

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Updated August 25, 2026 07:30 AM PHT

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