Catriona Gray Opens Up For The First Time About Her Cancelled Engagement With Sam Milby

If we all remember very clearly, 2025 was a year of shocking celebrity hard launches… and even more shocking engagement cancellations. One minute we were zooming in on ring selfies and soft-launch clues, and the next? Deleted photos, cryptic statements, and timelines that didn't add up. While it was something to talk about for the Internet, for the people involved—even if they're celebrities, yes—it was real heartbreak.

And for most people, it takes so much time to move on and get past that heartbreak—and Catriona Gray is no different. In a recent interview with Karen Davila, the Miss Universe 2018 titleholder opened up about her cancelled engagement with actor Sam Milby.

For the first time since they confirmed their separation, Catriona detailed the reason for their breakup and how she gracefully processed the heartbreak in front of the public eye.

"There was a point in our relationship where I think he just realized that he wasn't ready to take it to the stage of commitment that we were on, because he had proposed," she began telling Karen. The beauty queen added, "And then, a few months later, [he] realized that hindi pala siya ready. So, that was very hurtful for me, and I was really blindsided at the time. I really tried to make it work.

Like most people in love, Catriona says she tried to make it work. But as many of us learn the hard way, sometimes, the bravest thing you can do isn't staying—it's walking away, especially when you're the only one trying to keep the romance alive.

Catriona said in the interview, "So, I was willing to just—siguro, when you love someone, you're willing to understand them. Pero, it got to a point na, at that age, and what we've been through, and hindi ka pa rin sure, I think that's an answer already."

It was the hardest thing for her to do, but yes, it was also one of the bravest things she did for herself. "I realized that I needed to choose myself in that moment, because I've given so much in trying to adjust... I don't look down on myself at that moment because I did it because I love the person." she shared.

Catriona also shared what she really wants in a relationship and in her future husband as well. "As a woman, I wanna have a family. I wanna get married, and I'd love to be a mom someday. So, I really want a partner who values me and sees that future too. Ayokong ma-wait around for someone to figure out," Catriona declared.

It was in early 2024 when speculations of Catriona and Sam's breakup circulated online. At the time, their management, Cornerstone Entertainment, released a statement noting that the two were "facing some challenges in their relationship, they are actively working on resolving these issues together."

However, almost a year later, Sam was the first to break his silence and confirmed that he was no longer Catriona's fiancé. Catriona remained mum and focused on her work.

Now, as she's open and ready to share her story, she recalled during her interview with Karen, "I think that heartbreak taught me a lot, [because] I was really shattered—and to navigate that publicly was really hard too. I didn't wanna talk about it, kasi ang sakit niya eh. I was so broken."

But she affirms that she's in a much better place, "Now, I'm so much better. I went into therapy for two years, and I became so close with my core group—my friends, my family—in a way that I don't think I had before. It's just been a really healing journey. I feel like I came back home to myself. The version of me now, I'm the healthiest I've ever been."

Does Catriona still believe in love? Well, she happily proclaimed that she's currently dating a non-showbiz guy. And that's despite noting how difficult it is for her to actually date outside of showbiz, since she's a public figure.

"Absolutely! I definitely [still] believe in love. I think if you have a bad experience with a guy or two, you shouldn't allow that to reframe or change how you see love. I think love is beautiful," Catriona illustrated.

After everything she's been through, Cat remains hopeful. Not jaded, not closed-off. She's praying for a future husband who won't need convincing, who won't keep her in limbo, who won't take forever to "figure out" a future with her. 💍