LAS VEGAS—The newly crowned Miss Universe, Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach of the Philippines, on Sunday (Monday in Manila) apologized on behalf of the Miss Universe Organization for the mistake that led the contestant from Colombia to first believe that she had won the crown.
Wurtzbach, who ended a 42-year drought for the Philippines in the Miss Universe pageant, told reporters after the contest at the Planet Hollywood hotel-casino in Las Vegas on Sunday night, that she had conflicting emotions when the mistake happened: joy when she was told she was indeed the winner and not first runner-up, concern for Miss Colombia Ariadna Gutiérrez Arévalo, who had previously been mistakenly crowned, and confusion at the whole situation.
She said she tried to approach Arevalo onstage afterward but the Colombian was crying and surrounded by a crowd of women. She said she realized it was “probably bad timing.”
Saying she was now the voice of Miss Universe, Wurtzbach apologized for what happened on behalf of the organization.
‘Honest mistake’
She said the mistake was not done purposely and “it was an honest mistake.”
“I did not take the crown from her,” she said, adding that she wished Arevalo well and hoped the Latin American community understood that “none of this was my fault.”
The pageant’s host, US comedian Steve Harvey, also faced reporters and told them no one felt worse than he did about his mistake.
Harvey, who was hosting the contest for the first time, said he reread the card and noticed it said “first runner-up” next to the Colombia contestant’s name before he asked producers if he had made a mistake.
Mike Shapiro, an executive with the pageant’s new owner, WME/IMG, told reporters that Harvey corrected the mistake on his own when he realized the error on the air.
“It was humiliating for the women. It was humiliating for him,” Shapiro said.
Both said it was human error.
Harvey said he had yet to speak with Arevalo.
“I feel horrible for this young woman,” he said.
Fleeting reign
The Colombian contestant was fleetingly crowned and congratulated at the ceremony and started waving to fans. But as she blew kisses to an adoring crowd, Harvey returned to announce a shocker.
“OK folks, I have to apologize,” he began.
He said he had mistakenly read from a cue card, and that “the first runner-up is Colombia. Miss Universe 2015 is Philippines.”
“This is exactly what’s on the card. I will take responsibility for this. It was my mistake, it was on the card,” he said.
“It was my mistake, still a great night,” he added.
“Please don’t hold it against the ladies, please don’t,” he pleaded. “We feel badly but it’s still a great night. Thank you all.”
Harvey held up the card for Fox network cameras to see up close afterward.
In the following moments, with millions watching from around the globe, Miss Universe 2014 Paulina Vega, who is also from Colombia, removed the crown from Arevalo’s head and placed it on the head of a stunned Wurtzbach as other contestants rushed to console a crying Miss Colombia.
Harvey also apologized on Twitter, but at first misspelled the home countries of both contestants—
“Philippians” and “Columbia”—before also fixing that.
“I’d like to apologize wholeheartedly to Miss Colombia & Miss Philippines for my huge mistake,” he wrote. “I feel terrible.”
Shortly after Sunday night’s confusion, Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos tweeted a message on his official account to Arevalo: “For us, you will continue being miss universe! We are very proud!”
PH celebrates
In the Philippines, celebrations broke out despite the gaffe.
Malacañang led the nation in hailing the victory of the German-Filipino actress and model, who this year fueled gossip of a relationship with 55-year-old President Aquino by saying they were friends and that “he’s very fun to talk to.” (See related story on this page.)
ABS-CBN, where Wurtzbach works as an actress and host, cut off a live broadcast of President Aquino addressing the military to air Harvey’s apology.
It is the third time a contestant from the Philippines has won the title. It could have been the second win in a row for Colombia.
Miss USA Olivia Jordan was named second runner-up.
The competition started with contestants representing 80 countries between ages 19 and 27. For the first time, viewers at home weighed in, with their votes being tallied in addition to four in-person celebrity judges.
An early favorite in the pageant, Wurtzbach, wearing an ultramarine evening gown, won the judges’ approval when asked why she should be the next Miss Universe.
“To be a Miss Universe is both an honor and a responsibility. If I were to be Miss Universe, I will use my voice to influence the youth and I will raise awareness to certain causes like HIV awareness that is timely and relevant to my country, the Philippines. I want to show the world—the universe, rather—that I am confidently beautiful with a heart,” she replied.
Third for PH
Wurtzbach, who is from Cagayan de Oro City, bested the 79 other contestants to become the Philippines’ third Miss Universe.
The first Miss Universe from the Philippines was Gloria Diaz, who won the crown in 1969.
Margie Moran won the title in 1973, and was honored with the holding of the pageant in Manila the following year.
After that, contestants from the Philippines finished as runners-up: Chiqui Brosas (1975), Chat Silayan (1980), Desiree Verdadero (1984), Miriam Quiambao (1999).
Venus Raj started a streak in 2010 with a fifth-place finish, also in Las Vegas.
Shamcey Supsup gave a strong follow-up in 2011 in Brazil, finishing third.
In 2012, Janine Tugonon placed second.
Ariella Arida was the last runner-up finisher, landing fourth place in Russia in 2013.
Mary Jean Lastimosa finished in the Top 10 in the 2014 edition of the pageant, held in Miami in January this year.
Before Wurtzbach’s triumph, the Philippines has already bagged four international beauty titles this year.
Ann Lorraine Colis became the first Filipino to win the Miss Globe crown in Canada in October.
Trixie Maristela topped the transgender pageant Miss International Queen in Thailand in November, while Cindy Madduma bagged the Miss Scuba International title in Malaysia, also in November.
Angela Ong scored a back-to-back for the Philippines in the Miss Earth pageant in Austria earlier this month.
In October, Parul Shah placed fourth in the Miss Grand International pageant in Thailand. Reports from AP, AFP and Armin P. Adina