The Arkansas native opens the annual beauty pageant with a performance of 'Nights Like These' before serenading the contestants with a rendition of 'Miss Independent'.
- Dec 17, 2018
AceShowbiz - The 2018 Miss Universe pageant might have wrapped up, but some of the best moments are still lingering in people's minds. Among the highlights at the Monday, December 17 event was Ne-Yo's show-stopping performances.
The "One in a Million" singer opened the beauty pageant with a rendition of his latest single "Nights Like These". Backed by a traditional percussion group and female dancers from Thailand, Ne-Yo put a new spin to the R&B number. In the middle of his performance, all contestants of the pageant show made their way to the runway, but that didn't stop the singer from showing off his dancing skill.
"Just tryna have a good night/ Where ain't nobody worried 'bout the spotlight/ I'm nobody, you're nobody and it's alright," Ne-Yo rhymed while walking around the runway, completely nailing his performance. Feeling impressed, the audience could be heard cheering loudly after he finished his rendition.
Ne-Yo later came back to the stage just before the winner was announced, performing what appeared to be the most suitable song for the event, "Miss Independent". As the three finalists, Miss Philippines, Miss South Africa and Miss Venezuela, walked down the runway in their evening gowns, the Arkansas native gushed, "She got her own thing/ That's why I love her/ Miss independent/ Won't you come and spend a little time?"
Miss Philippines Catriona Gray was eventually crowned the winner of the 67th annual pageant show, beating out other contestants from 93 countries and territories. Miss South Africa Tamaryn Green was the first runner-up, while Miss Venezuela Sthefany Guiterrez was the second runner-up. Miss Puerto Rico Kiara Ortega and Miss Vietnam H'Hen Nie were in the top 5.
Catriona, who became fan favorite due to her signature "lava walk," is the fourth Miss Universe winner from Philippines after Pia Wurtzbach (2015), Margie Moran (1973) and Gloria Diaz (1969).
