Catriona Gray says Australian publications that claimed her win ‘just excited’

As far as Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray is concerned, there is enough celebration to go around following her explosive win at the prestigious pageant last month.

The celebration should not be withheld from Australia, the beauty queen commented during an interview with GMA News' Jessica Soho in New York on Wednesday.

"I think they're just excited. And I know a lot of people got very offended but I think everyone's spirits are very high, it's the holiday season and you know, in a way, my childhood was being an Australian. I did, I was born and grew up there," she said.

While she didn't agree with the way one publication, The Courier Mail, crossed out the word "Philippines" and replaced it with "Queensland," she said that it's not the worst thing.

"So, I don't think it's the worst thing, the way that they did it, medyo ano, with the crossing out, I don't really agree with that, but I think they do have a right to be proud and excited and a part of the celebration. I don't want to withhold that from them," Catriona said.

"What I'm saying is like the way that they did it wasn't right, but why not let them be part of the celebration?" she added.

After being announced as the 67th Miss Universe, Australian media outlets had also taken pride in Catriona's win.

A photo of Catriona was printed in the front page of The Courier Mail, and underneath it were the words "Miss Universe Philippines."

However, the paper crossed out the name of the country and wrote in pseudo-handwriting "Queensland."

Radio station Hit meanwhile published on its website an article with the headline: An Australian Girl Just Won Miss Universe But She Wasn’t Miss Australia.”

Catriona, whose mother is from Oas, Albay, represented the Philippines during the recently concluded 67th Miss Universe pageant, and brought home the country's fourth Miss Universe crown. — Jessica Bartolome/BM, GMA News