Miss Universe Teleprompter Fed Steve Harvey The Wrong Winner
Miss Universe host Steve Harvey took the blame for announcing the wrong winner and first runner-up during the Miss Universe 2015 coronation night on Sunday. The Family Feud host apologized profusely after the mix-up, but it seems like Harvey was not the only one to blame.
Harvey took to social media to apologize to both women after Ms. Colombia, Ariadna Gutierrez, was stripped of the title just minutes after she was announced the winner. However, a Snapchat clip revealed Harvey complaining that the prompter fed him the wrong information.
“The prompter said ‘Miss Universe — Colombia,'” Harvey explained to a member of the staff in the video after crowning the wrong winner. The clip was believed to have been posted on the Ms. Universe Snapchat channel, but it may have been taken down.
Watch the #MissUniverse2015 snapchat. Steve Harvey says the TelePrompter said Miss Universe – Colombia. pic.twitter.com/okjf2I4ar8
— Michael Lark (@Michael_Lark) December 21, 2015
Many users, including beauty queen Miss Alabama Meg McGuffin, shared the video on social media. “…Someone in production is fired,” tweeted McGuffin.
Fans of the comedian say the teleprompter incident vindicates Harvey for the Miss Universe gaffe he committed that Sunday evening. Other social media users defended the host and pointed out that mistakes happen a lot on live TV.
Fox has not given a statement whether it was indeed the teleprompter that fed the info during the pageant.
The Family Feud host did not stop apologizing for his blunder even after the coronation night. To make up for the previous tweet where he misspelled Philippines and Colombia (Philippians and Columbia) Harvey tweeted: “I’d like to apologize wholeheartedly to Miss Colombia & Miss Philippines for my huge mistake. I feel terrible.”
I’d like to apologize wholeheartedly to Miss Colombia & Miss Philippines for my huge mistake. I feel terrible.
— Steve Harvey (@IAmSteveHarvey) December 21, 2015
He also posted another statement on his Facebook: “I made a terrible mistake… I know how much pride many countries, fans and most importantly, the contestants take in preparing for this night. I hope that you can forgive me. All contestants were amazing but I want to specifically apologize to Miss Colombia and Miss Philippines again and wholeheartedly. You both represented well for your countries, families and yourselves.”
On Sunday, Harvey declared Miss Colombia as Miss Universe 2015 and Miss Universe 2014 Paulina Vega put the crown on her head and gave her the sash. The host came back after a few seconds and interrupted the celebration by admitting that he made a huge mistake by calling Gutierrez the winner instead of Miss Philippines Pia Wurtzbach.
Steve Harvey Announced the Wrong Winner in Miss Universe 2015
Wurtzbach could not believe the unexpected turn of events and said afterwards: “It’s a very non-traditional crowning moment. Very 2015!”
However, Miss Germany Sarah-Lorraine Riek, thinks Gutierrez was the real winner and that the woman was robbed of the crown. Missosology, a blog dedicated to pageants, caught up with Miss Germany and asked for her reaction on the mix-up. She said she believes Colombia deserves to win the title, adding that she was not happy with the results. When asked why, she admitted that none of the girls voted for Miss Philippines.
Watch Miss Germany Rant About Miss Philippines Winning The Miss Universe Pageant
However, Miss Colombia held no grudges after the crown was taken away from her and showed humility and grace befitting a queen. “Everything happens for a reason, so I’m happy,” Gutierrez said “Thank you for voting for me.”
Miss Colombia’s incredibly graceful response after being mistakenly crowned Miss Universe https://t.co/UUR7EUIgXy pic.twitter.com/55EoQV62Ge
— Business Insider (@businessinsider) December 22, 2015
Meanwhile, The Miss Universe Organization released a statement in regards to the mistake on Sunday. The organization is partial on the incident.
“The excitement of live TV was evident tonight on The Miss Universe stage with over 10 million live fan votes tabulated. Unfortunately, a live telecast means that human error can come into play. We witnessed that tonight when the wrong winner was initially announced. Our sincerest apologies to Miss Universe Colombia 2015, Ariadna Gutierrez-Arévalo, Miss Universe Philippines 2015, Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach, their families and fans,” the statement said.
[Image via YouTube]
