Miss Universe Catriona Gray’s ex-fiancé Sam Milby, 10 years her senior, tears up discussing their split

According to Inquirer, in an interview with Filipino TV host Boy Abunda, which aired on Monday, Milby was asked about his relationship with Gray. He struggled to discuss their eventual split.

"It’s hard to talk about our breakup," he said. "It’s something I didn’t want to talk about."

He revealed that the pain was amplified by the fact that they had gotten engaged but their wedding never took place, which he described as "really rough."

Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray (L) and Filipino actor Sam Milby. Photo from Gray's Instagram

Milby added that despite the heartache, there was "so much love and respect" between him and Gray, making it even harder to move on.

When asked if he was still trying to reconcile with Gray, Milby admitted that he couldn't provide an answer at this time.

Milby, who had been publicly in a relationship with Gray since 2020 and engaged to her in 2023, confirmed their breakup in February. The announcement followed speculation fueled by Gray being seen without her engagement ring in social media posts and removing engagement photos from her accounts.

Further rumors emerged after a video surfaced showing Gray and Milby sitting apart at Filipino singer TJ Monterde’s concert earlier this month, with Gray crying on the shoulder of her friend, Filipino actress Isabel Oli.

At 31, Gray is one of only four Filipinos to have won the Miss Universe title. She had previously won Miss World Philippines in 2016, Miss Universe Philippines in 2018, and was a top-five finalist at Miss World 2016.

Milby, 41, initially rose to fame as a contestant on the first season of the TV reality show "Pinoy Big Brother."