Oops! Wrong Contestant Crowned International Beauty Queen

RSS Feed

Oops! Wrong Contestant Crowned International Beauty Queen

January 8th, 2016

Awake Goy

Pageant host Steve Harvey, center, accidentally proclaims Miss Colombia, right, as winner of Miss University pageant, when the true winner was Miss Philippines, left.

It was one of the biggest mistakes on live television. At the climax of the Miss Universe pageant in December, 2015, the wrong contestant was named winner and given the Miss Universe crown.

Initially, 80 countries were represented by beautiful women between the ages of 19 and 27 years. The women were judged not only on beauty but on skills such as talent. In addition to the four judges at the contest, viewers at home could also vote. The competition was down to two contestants, Miss Colombia and Miss Philippines. After a long, dramatic pause, the host of the competition declared Miss Colombia winner. While the audience cheered, the winner was given a sash and flowers and the crown was placed on her head. She waved a Colombian flag and blew kisses at the audience but had not yet started her victory walk when the host returned to the stage. “I have to apologize,” he said. “The first runner-up is Colombia.”

Pia Wurtzbach, Miss Philippines, returned to the stage to receive the crown. The victory music was again played. Miss Philippines stood beside Ariadna Gutierrez, Miss Colombia, neither woman smiling, as the crown was removed from the head of Miss Colombia and placed on the head of Miss Philippines.

Steve Harvey, the pageant’s host, explained that he had misread the card that he was given with the names of the winners. He held up the card for all to see. “It’s my mistake. Please don’t hold it against the ladies.” He later tweeted an apology to the ladies and the viewers. The Miss Universe Organization, which runs the pageant, issued a statement in which explanations and apologies were also given.

Miss Philippines later said she was happy to win but concerned for her rival. “I did not take the crown from her,” Miss Philippines said. Miss Colombia later said no one can take away the four minutes during which she wore the crown and that she was making the best of a humiliating situation.

In a later elaboration, Harvey said he first read the teleprompter then read the card, which was different in appearance. He said he has since “made good” with Miss Philippines but has been unable to reach Miss Colombia.