Miss Universe 2015 Host Steve Harvey Apologizes For Mistakenly Announcing The 64th Miss Universe; ‘I Feel Terrible’
Two beautiful ladies were the center of the attraction at The Axis, Las Vegas on Sunday night as the crowd held their breath and wait for the announcement of this year's Miss Universe winner. When the moment of truth finally arrived, pageant host called out Miss Colombia as the 64th Miss Universe.
But before Ariadna Gutierrez Arevalo could savor the moment, Steve Harvey went back on stage and apologized for a "huge mistake" he has committed.
"Okay folks, I have to apologize," the host said, as noted by Variety Sunday. "The first runner up is Colombia."
Everyone inside the venue was astonished especially Miss Philippines Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach, who was initially declared as the first runner up.
"This is exactly what's on the card," Harvey said while showing the result of the contest. "I will take responsibility for this. It was my mistake. It was on the card. Please don't hold it against the ladies."
Last year's Miss Universe, Paulina Vega, who is also a Colombian, removed the crown from Arevalo and placed it on the head of Wurtzbach.
The contender from the Philippines revealed she tried to approach Arevalo onstage but realized it was "probably [a] bad timing" since the Colombian was still emotional and crying after the results.
"I did not take the crown from her," Wurtzbach tells reporters, as reported by Associated Press Sunday.
She added, "None of this was my fault."
"None of this was done on purpose. It was an honest mistake," she added as she apologized for what happened.
On the other hand, Harvey, in a series of tweets, apologized for the mistake he has committed.
"I'd like to apologize wholeheartedly to Miss Colombia and Miss Philippines for my huge mistake. I feel terrible," Harvey writes on his social media account.
"Secondly, I'd like to apologize to the viewers that I disappointed as well. Again, it was an honest mistake."
Harvey tweeted, "I don't want to take away from this amazing night and pageant. As well as the wonderful contestants. They were all amazing."