(From left) Catriona Gray and Vico Sotto. Images: Hannah Mallorca/INQUIRER.net, Facebook/Vico Sotto

Catriona Gray clarified that her recent social media interaction with Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto was merely an Instagram follow, and that they’re simply mutuals on the platform.

Earlier this month, Gray and Sotto were shipped by netizens after following each other on Instagram. Some even referred to them as “ViCat,” an apparent combination of their names.

Despite this, the former beauty queen said she and Sotto are just “mutuals” on the social media platform.

“Nagulat din ako. Hindi ko nga inexpect na may meaning na ganyan. Followan lang. Mutuals lang (I got surprised. I didn’t expect that people would put a meaning to it. We just followed each other. We’re just mutuals)” she told reporters during the MEGA Ball when asked about the topic.

Gray also laughed when she was asked if she was aware of her “ship name” with the politician. She nonetheless reiterated that there is nothing going on between them.

“Hindi ko talaga inexpect, basta [there are] happy people (I didn’t expect it. I guess there are people happy about it). There’s nothing really much more than the mutual follow,” she said.

Meanwhile, Sotto has yet to address his recent social media interaction with Gray.

The Miss Universe 2018 titleholder was previously in a relationship with Sam Milby, and they were even supposed to tie the knot sometime in 2024. They eventually parted ways, with Milby confirming their split in February 2025.

On the other hand, Sotto has long been private about his personal life and has focused on his job as the mayor of Pasig City. His mother, Coney Reyes, also said in multiple interviews that she doesn’t meddle in her son’s love life.