And the winner is . . . a Miss-take of epic proportions. Television moments don't get more mortifying than this. The wrong winner of the Miss Universe contest was crowned last night following a spectacular gaffe by the show's host.
Miss Colombia, Ariadna Gutierrez, was announced winner of the 2015 beauty pageant before organisers revealed she was actually the first runner-up. She had already been crowned and was standing on stage to cheers from the Las Vegas audience.
However, host Steve Harvey returned to announce that she was actually the first runner-up and that a visibly shocked Miss Philippines Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach was in fact the winner.
Miss Philippines hears the news that she was the real winner
Awkwardness and confusion took the place of poise and elegance as the mistake came to light in a moment that upstaged everything else on the night.
The embattled host Steve Harvey was quick to admit his mistake.
"OK folks ... I have to apologize," he told the crowd.
"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."
He also took to Twitter to apologise for his now legendary gaffe and said it was an "honest mistake".
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
Naturally the internet has been having a field day.
This just happened 😂😂😂 #MissUniverse2015 pic.twitter.com/XjJiiWbDXN
— COMEDY CENTRAL© (@Muffinman_7) December 21, 2015
Steve Harvey... You had one job! #MissUniverse https://t.co/iiBvXKhyLM pic.twitter.com/7P5Bu9xzU6
— 9GAG (@9GAG) December 21, 2015
After what happened @ #MissUniverse2015 , Oprah should host #MissUniverse: pic.twitter.com/quPA8IyoEt
— Memes Generator (@_MemesGenerator) December 21, 2015
