It’s got to be a pageant girl’s worst nightmare. On the FOX broadcast of the Miss Universe pageant Sunday night (Dec 20), host, Steve Harvey crowned the wrong winner.
At the final 3, Harvey announced Miss USA, Olivia Jordan, the 2nd runner up, after which he announced Miss Colombia, Ariadna Gutierrez as the winner. It was assumed, Miss Philippines, Alonzo Wurtzbach was the 1st runner up. But not so fast. Poor Miss Columbia got her flowers, sash and crown, and was pageant waving to the crowd, when Harvey interrupted to say there was a mistake.
“I have to apologize,” said Harvey, as Miss Colombia continued to wave and bask in her win. “The first runner-up is Colombia.” It got real confusing after that. Miss Philippines remained stunned, even after she was pulled to center stage, and Harvey suggested she do a victory walk. Only problem–Columbia was still wearing the sash and crown. AWKWARD.
“I will take responsibility for this,” Harvey finally said when the new info didn’t seem to be sinking in with the contestants or the crowd. “It was my mistake, it was on the card.” He showed the card to the camera. “The first runner-up was Columbia. It was my mistake.”
“Still a great night!” Harvey insisted. “Please don’t hold it against the ladies.” Nobody is holding it against the contestants dude. “We feel so badly, but it’s still a great night.” Naw, you tainted Philippines win–she was robbed of her opportunity to celebrate her moment fully. Miss Colombia is probably scarred for life after having the crown snatched from her head like that. Go back to Family Feud where you can’t do any harm. Live TV is not your thing.
Where is Ryan Seacrest when you need him! This is FOX’s first year airing the pageant after NBC and Donald Trump bowed out after after the latter declared a run for president. Trump must be enjoying this.
Afterward, Harvey apologized via twitter:
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
Check out the trainwreck right here.
UPDATE:
Miss Colombia reacts backstage:
A message from #MissUniverse Colombia, @gutierrezary.
https://t.co/KBzZyyHJzy
— Miss Universe (@MissUniverse) December 21, 2015
Miss Philippines calls it a “very untraditional crowning…very 2015”
The road to the #MissUniverse crown is never easy.
A message from Miss Universe 2015, Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach.
https://t.co/GO7VBf45MW
— Miss Universe (@MissUniverse) December 21, 2015
Donald Trump tells Today that he would have crowned a co-winner after the mistake
