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PEOPLE & ARTS Tuesday 18 december 2018
Philippines' Catriona Gray named Miss Universe 2018

Associated Press quick to congratulate the
BANGKOK (AP) — The Phil- winner — the fourth Filipina
ippines' Catriona Gray was to be named Miss Universe.
named Miss Universe 2018 "Ms. Gray truly made the en-
in a competition held in tire Philippines proud when
Bangkok on Monday, best- she sashayed on the global
ing contestants from 93 oth- stage and showcased the
er countries and delighting genuine qualities defining
her home nation. a Filipina beauty: confi-
Gray wore a sparkling red dence, grace, intelligence
dress that she said was and strength in the face of
inspired by a volcano in tough challenges," Duterte
the Philippines as she was said in a statement from
handed the crown to the the presidential palace. "In
delight of a roaring crowd her success, Miss Philippines
in the Thai capital that gen- has shown to the world that
erally favored Southeast women in our country have
Asian contestants. the ability to turn dreams
The 24-year-old singer and into reality through passion,
model said she wore red diligence, determination
because "when I was 13, and hard work."
my mom said she had a An early round of question-
dream that I would win Miss ing touched on the issue
Universe in a red dress." She of drugs, a controversial
said her mom cried when subject in the Philippines,
they saw each other after where Duterte's aggres-
she won the competition, Catriona Gray of the Philippines waves to the audience after being crowned the new Miss Uni- sive anti-drug crackdown
the 67th Miss Universe pag- verse 2018 during the final round of the 67th Miss Universe competition in Bangkok, Thailand, has taken thousands of
eant. Gray edged out first Monday, Dec. 17, 2018. lives, many in what critics
runner-up Tamaryn Green Associated Press charge were extrajudicial
of South Africa and third- executions. Duterte raised
place Sthefany Gutierrez of televised contest cheered from which Gray's Filipina Australian, and she was even more controversy
Venezuela. She succeeds wildly and jumped for joy mother hails. According to born and grew up in Cairns, when he recently joked
Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters of when she was declared Gray, her gown's design, Australia. She studied at the that he smoked marijuana
South Africa. In the Philip- the winner. Celebrations with its lava color and ap- Berklee College of Music in to deal with his busy sched-
pines, pageants are a pop- were especially buoyant pearance, was influenced Boston in the United States. ule of meetings with other
ular attraction, and Gray's in Oas town in the north- by Albay's iconic Mayon The office of Philippine Pres- Asian leaders at a regional
countrymen watching the eastern province of Albay, Volcano. Gray's father is ident Rodrigo Duterte was summit.q

2018 Breakthrough: Hannah Gadsby may change stand-up game

By MIKE CIDONI LENNOX But it wasn't until late June it, has given me the unex-
Associated Press that the "craziness" began. pected realization that I'm
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Han- That's when Netflix released not at all." In "Nanette,"
nah Gadsby says she knows a filmed version of the Gadsby says she's giving up
it's meant as a compliment show, and Gadsby went stand-up comedy. But, with
to be chosen as one of the from known Down Under to the success of the stand-up
year's Breakthrough Enter- global phenomenon. special, she's now recon-
tainers by The Associated Many critics were blown sidered that, noting future
Press. But, as with many away by the way Gadsby shows will be something
things, the Australian stand- seamlessly segued from hi- closer to performance art.
up comic and actress sees larity to humanity - quickly Just about the only thing
the honor from a variety of getting deep and dark that's certain: Gadsby
perspectives. about some harrowing ex- won't be going Hollywood,
"Like, what happens after periences as a lesbian and at least for now. She said
'breakthrough'?" Gadsby as a woman. that world "would require a
asked. "Like, I could be a And while "Nanette" was In this Dec. 10, 2018 photo, Australian comedian Hannah Gads- substantial erosion of inde-
one-hit wonder or I go on written before the start of by poses for a portrait in Los Angeles. pendent thought."
to being a deserved star?" the #MeToo movement, Associated Press So, what is next?
She notes: "I think I was do- Gadsby apparently felt it "Oh, the phone has been
ing really well before all this coming. In "Nanette," she while she started building nette" would divide, not ringing," she said, with a
craziness around 'Nanette.'" takes direct aim at straight a primarily gay internation- conquer, audiences. grin. "But I'm slow. I'm a slow
"Nanette" is the 40-year- white males and sexual al following in 2015, she's "What the magical thing person. So, I need to make
old Gadsby's latest stage abuse. never experienced what was, what I realized, was, my decisions slowly. They
show, which debuted in What Gadsby didn't ex- happened after "Nanette" 'Oh, a lot of people are say that 'slow and steady
2017, and enjoyed critical pect was that so many — everything from rave re- thinking this.' And what I wins the race.' But I'm more
and commercial successes would get her. Since 2006, views in The New York Times thought was making me a like the tortoise, but with
during its runs throughout she'd made a name, and a to fan letters from India. marginalized figure — you the hare's game plan. So,
Australia, at the Edinburgh living, as a stand-up comic In fact, Gadsby said she know, sort of a niche hu- I'm moving as slowly as a
Festival Fringe, in New York and actress in Australia expected just the oppo- man — actually, by being tortoise, but napping like
and Montreal. and New Zealand. And site: that her candor in "Na- completely truthful about the hare."q