Watch | Host announces wrong winner at Miss Universe 2015
By Will Stroude
The grand finale of the Miss Universe 2015 competition was marred in controversy last night (December 20), after the wrong winner was announced and crowned, before having her apparent victory rescinded just minutes later.
Organisers and host Steve Harvey have since apologised for the screamingly awkward error, which saw Miss Colombia, Ariadna Gutierrez, declared the winner instead of the rightful champion of Miss Philippines, Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach.
OK folks … I have to apologise,” Harvey told a confused crowd in Las Vegas, as Miss Colombia celebrated beside him.
“The first runner-up is Colombia. Miss Universe 2015 is Philippines.”
He continued: “Let me just take control of this. This is exactly what’s on the card. I will take responsibility for this. It was my mistake. It was on the card.”
Harvey later took responsibility for the gaffe, apologising “wholeheartedly” to both contestants as well as viewers, who flocked to Twitter to express their shock as the incident began trending worldwide.
Organsisers later issued their own statement, offering their “sincerest apologies” for the “human error”.
I'd like to apologize wholeheartedly to Miss Colombia & Miss Philippines for my huge mistake. I feel terrible.
— Steve Harvey (@IAmSteveHarvey) December 21, 2015
Secondly, I'd like to apologize to the viewers at that I disappointed as well. Again it was an honest mistake.
— Steve Harvey (@IAmSteveHarvey) December 21, 2015
I don't want to take away from this amazing night and pageant. As well as the wonderful contestants. They were all amazing.
— Steve Harvey (@IAmSteveHarvey) December 21, 2015
— Miss Universe (@MissUniverse) December 21, 2015
Miss Philippines later offered her sympathies to Miss Colombia, telling reporters afterwards that she wished her competitor well.
“I’m very sorry, I did not take the crown away from her and I wish her well in whatever she wants to pursue after this pageant,” she said.
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