Miss Philippines Pia Wurtzbach was crowned Miss Universe on December 20, but not until an embarrassing mistake was made. Pageant host Steve Harvey inadvertently crowned Miss Colombia Adriadna Gutierrez the new Miss Universe before realizing he made a mistake.
Miss Colombia was immediately dethroned and Miss Philippines was finally crowned the winner.
COMING UP ONLY ON @GMA: Miss Philippines, Pia Wurtzbach, in her first interview since shocking Miss Universe ending pic.twitter.com/ts1djbJtiY
— Good Morning America (@GMA) January 4, 2016
Critics have bashed Steve Harvey constantly in the two weeks since the pageant aired. Some even accused him of creating the blunder for media attention–something he vehemently denies.
Harvey has requested a face to face meeting with Miss Colombia so he can apologize privately for the embarrassment he caused her, but she has refused to meet with him.
.@IAmSteveHarvey reveals Miss Colombia won't respond to his apologies: https://t.co/x8Xf5dkuM2 pic.twitter.com/6wsXbVX1sK
— CELEBUZZ (@CELEBUZZ) January 6, 2016
Miss Philippines, the new Miss Universe, however, sings Steve Harvey’s praises, calling the host of The Steve Harvey Show and Family Feud a “breath of fresh air.”
Pia Wurtzbach even things the host should return to emcee next year’s Miss Universe Pageant.
“Yeah, why not?” the former Miss Philippines said. “I think he’s a breath of fresh air. He made us feel very relaxed, the contestants. It makes us show our personalities a little bit more. I think that benefits everybody, especially the viewers.”
You guys have got to watch me crash Miss Universe (Miss Philippines) interview on my … https://t.co/aQBQ0TPZde pic.twitter.com/ggrm9STD3Z
— Eva Longoria (@EvaLongoria) January 4, 2016
Miss Philippines-turned-Miss Universe has her own theory as to why Steve Harvey made his on-air mistake. She notes that the first runner-up’s name–Miss Colombia–was written is much larger font than that of pageant winner Miss Philippines.
“The way it was written, it was a little confusing,” she said. “I understand. It was his first time to judge a pageant, but it’s OK. He’s human. People make mistakes.”
Don’t you think it’s time everyone moved on from Steve Harvey’s pageant gaffe? It was no doubt an honest mistake. Miss Philippines is the winner of the pageant regardless of which name was initially read.