Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach, a Filipino-German actress and model, was announced as runner-up to Miss Colombia at the Miss Universe Pageant, before host, Steve Harvey announced to the audience that he had made a mistake.
By this time, 21-year-old Ariadna Gutierrez Arévalo, of Colombia, had already been crowned.
The crown was then removed from Miss Colombia and given to Miss Philippines. 27-year-old, Olivia Jordan, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, finished third.
“It was my mistake, it was on the card. Horrible mistake,” Harvey said in an apology to the contestants from Colombia and the Philippines during the live broadcast. “The first runner-up is Colombia”, he said.
Back home in Colombia, the residents were not happy at all.
Former beauty queen, Paula Correa, said: “We were clearly very excited. We could not believe it.
Honestly, we were happy because Ariadna marvelously represented all of us from Colombia. It all of a sudden went from a moment full of joy and excitement to a moment full of humiliation and sadness for us. It really seems unfair to me.”
While in the Philippines, it was joy all the way.
Presidential spokesperson, Herminio Coloma, said:”The triumph of Miss Philippines, Wurtzbach, in the Miss Universe pageant is an honour that is shared by the entire Filipino nation.
“She is the embodiment of the Filipinos intelligence, talent and skill that has also gained recognition in many fields of endeavor by the global community.
“Her victory is a most welcome Christmas present to a grateful and hopeful nation”.
Wurtzbach was the third Filipino to win the Miss Universe title, following Margarita Moran in 1973 and Gloria Diaz in 1969.
The Philippines had also successively landed the top 10 finalists since 2010.
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