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Catriona Gray calls first film role ‘exciting and challenging’

Article (news)

Ganiel Krishnan

ABS-CBN News

<p>Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray is entering a new creative chapter as she makes her acting debut in the upcoming film &quot;The Loved One,&quot; describing the project as a mix of excitement, pressure, and growth.</p><p>Gray said her decision to take on her first film role came down to timing and the right material.</p><p>“Siguro, hinihintay lang namin ng perfect timing and &#x27;yung tamang project,” she said, adding that she found it impossible to turn down the opportunity given the people behind the film. “How could I say no with an incredible director, Irene Villamor, and also an incredible cast?”</p><p>The beauty queen admitted that being considered for the role came with pressure.</p><p>“Excited ako, but also pressured. Pressured is the right word,” Gray said. “I really wanted to do a good job. I don’t want to be the weakest link in the film.”</p><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-12" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DTsFQb3AcTe/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=594&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A12%2C%22os%22%3A25255508.800000012%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="852" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-12" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><p>Despite stepping far outside her comfort zone, Gray said she felt fully supported throughout the process, undergoing acting workshops and immersing herself in the craft.</p><p>“Very out of the comfort zone for me, but I was really so supported in the whole process,” she shared.</p><p>Gray also recalled feeling nervous on her first day on set, noting that it was her first time witnessing how a film is made behind the scenes.</p><p>“I was so nervous talaga kasi talagang new arena for me. I was observing everything how they do the blocking, how they prep the actors,” she said, adding that she asked many questions because she was eager to learn.</p><p>Working alongside seasoned stars Anne Curtis and Jericho Rosales made the experience even more meaningful for Gray, who praised their generosity and professionalism on set.</p><p>“They were both so kind and they really kind of paced me through it, which I really admire,” she said. “They don’t need to do that, so that really speaks volumes about their character and also as actors.”</p><p>While she remains open to future acting projects, Gray emphasized that she is not rushing into anything, saying that the story and creative direction must resonate with her.</p><p>“It needs to speak to me. It has to align with me as a creative also,” she said, adding that she values projects where she can learn from fellow artists.</p><p>Set for release on February 11, &quot;The Loved One&quot; is billed as a Valentine’s film filled with emotion marking Gray’s first step into the world of acting and signaling a promising new direction in her creative journey.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/movies-series/2026/1/20/catriona-gray-to-make-her-acting-debut-in-anne-jericho-s-film-the-loved-one-1137" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Catriona Gray to make her acting debut in Anne-Jericho&#x27;s film &#x27;The Loved One&#x27;</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong><em></em>Releasing new music this year</strong></div><p>Apart from her acting debut,  Gray is also gearing up for a musically active year, revealing plans to release a new collection of songs that reflect her personal journey and creative growth.</p><p>Gray shared that her return to music began with the release of her holiday single &quot;Every Christmas&quot; last December, which she said served as a spark for her to start writing again.</p><p>“I’m actively writing music, so I hope to see a full body of work come out this year,” Gray said.</p><p>The singer revealed that she is currently working on five to six songs, with a focus on creating something cohesive and meaningful rather than chasing chart success.</p><p>“I really just want to create a body of art,” she explained, emphasizing that the process has been more about expression and reflection than competition.</p><p>According to Gray, the upcoming material draws from various stages of her life, including adulthood, love, and personal growth. Some of the songs are inspired by collaborations, while others come from deeply personal concepts.</p><p>“Some of them are reminiscent of my journey in adulthood, or even through love and life experience looking at myself, my younger self, and who I am now,” she said, describing the music as more retrospective in nature.</p><p>Gray also shared that she is collaborating with several artists and creatives, allowing her to explore different perspectives and musical approaches.</p><p>“I’m collaborating with a lot of different people. Some are joint concepts, some are my own,” she said.</p><p>While continuing to explore music, Gray remains grounded in her broader role as a cultural advocate, noting that being surrounded by fellow artists continues to inspire her creative pursuits.</p><p>“That’s why I’m very flattered to be here once again as <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/people-culture-events/2026/1/22/catriona-gray-celebrates-7-years-as-cultural-ambassador-1443">NCCA art ambassador</a>, because I get to be surrounded by incredibly talented artists, and it really is inspiring to be in that company,” she added.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/pageants-beauty-queens/2025/11/28/catriona-gray-back-to-making-music-releases-new-song-every-christmas-1312" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Catriona Gray back to making music, releases new song &#x27;Every Christmas&#x27;</a></div>

<p>Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray is entering a new creative chapter as she makes her acting debut in the upcoming film "The Loved One," describing the project as a mix of excitement, pressure, and growth.</p>

Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray is entering a new creative chapter as she makes her acting debut in the upcoming film "The Loved One," describing the project as a mix of excitement, pressure, and growth.