Catriona Gray: 'I really feel like I'm a Miss Philippines'

Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray sets the record straight, she is Miss Philippines.

In an interview with Build Series, Catriona was asked about how she feels about comments from Australian netizens claiming she should have represented Australia in the prestigious beauty pageant.

Catriona answered, “I really feel that growing up in cohesion of cultures has really made me have an open mindset about how different cultures can be.”

She was also asked if she felt “weird” to be competing with Miss Australia for the Miss Universe pageant.

Catriona said, “No, because I really feel like I'm a Miss Philippines.

“I feel like a Filipina, a Filipino woman.

“It just so happened that when I was growing up, I was very much of an Australian.”

“I think you can be both; I really did grow up with those two sides of the world,”

“I am a Miss Philippines but I can't blame them for being excited from really feeling the high spirits of the season too,” she continued.

Catriona was born in Cairns, Queensland and lived there until she in her late teens.

Her mother, Normita Magnayon is a Filipina while her father Ian Gray is a Scottish-born Australian.

Watch Catriona's full interview below: