Imagine being Miss Universe for just two minutes? That is what happened to Miss Colombia, Ariadna Gutierrez-Arévalo after the pageant host Steve Harvey botched the Miss Universe 2015 announcement.
“I apologise.” These were the words of Harvey, 58, after he announced the first runner up as the winner of the coveted crown.
After Gutierrez-Arévalo was crowned and was performing the ritual wave to the audience inside the Planet Hollywood Las Vegas Resort & Casino, Harvey came back on stage to deliver the awkward and devastating news.
“The first runner-up is Colombia,” Harvey said.
That’s when the real winner, Pia Alonzo Wurztbach of the Philippines, began to look around stunned and wondering what had just happened.
“Miss Universe 2015 is Philippines,” Harvey said, ending the suspense.
“Listen, folks. Let me just take control of this,” Harvey went on to tell the bewildered audience. “This is exactly what’s on the card. I will take responsibility for this. It was my mistake.”
Outgoing Miss Universe Paulina Vega, ironically also from Colombia, fulfilled the dubious obligation of removing the crown and placing it on the rightful winner.
Harvey took to Twitter to apologise again.
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
