“Miss Universe 2015 is Philippines”

Miss Universe 2015 is Miss Philippines Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach. For around 90 seconds, Miss Columbia Ariadna Gutierrez was crowned the winner and had been given her flowers. She was basking in her moment of glory on stage. She was then forced to give up her crown to Miss Philippines Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach. Wurtzbach stood as the most beautiful woman in the universe as was crowned as Miss Universe 2015 in Las Vegas on Sunday, December 20, 2015. Wurtzbach bested 79 other candidates from around the globe to get the coveted crown.

The 21-year-old, beaming with her bouquet of flowers, was forced to remove the bejewelled crown and give it to Miss Philippines, Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach. Miss Wurtzbach appeared stunned as she walked to the front of the stage alongside the crown-wearing Miss Gutiérrez.

The ending left viewers on the edge of their seats. Miss Colombia was declared the winner of the beauty pageant – but then host Steve Harvey announced he’d made a mistake and the crown was handed over to Miss Philippines. “Okay folks, I have to apologize. The first runner-up is Colombia,” Steve Harvey, the host explained as the camera panned to finalists Miss Colombia, Miss USA and Miss Philippines.

Harvey, a comedian and talk show host, apologized effusively and made a point of showing the card to the cameras to prove that the second crowning of the night was, in fact, the correct one. “Horrible mistake, but the right thing,” he said. “I can show it to you right here. The first runner-up is Colombia.”

The two contestants stood awkwardly side by side, a smile on neither face, while one woman was de-crowned and the other was crowned. “I want to apologize emphatically to Miss Philippians and Miss Columbia,” he wrote. “This was a terribly honest human mistake and I am so regretful.” Miss Universe 2014 Paulina Vega of Colombia transferred the crown. The Cagayan de Oro beauty’s win marks the third time that the Philippines won the prestigious beauty title.

All the candidates answered the question: “Why should you be the next Miss Universe?” Miss USA Olivia Jordan was the first candidate who answered the question because she wants to empower women all over the world.

Miss Colombia Ariadna Gutierrez was second, where she said that she has certain qualities that only a Latin woman have which makes her a shoo-in as the third Colombian to win the crown. Miss Universe Philippines was the last candidate to answer the question. When asked why she wanted to be Miss Universe, Miss Wurtzbach replied that, “I will use my voice to influence the youth and I would raise awareness to certain causes like HIV awareness, that is timely and relevant to my country. I want to show the world, the universe rather, that I am confidently beautiful with a heart,” she said. The Philippines last took home the crown in 1973, courtesy of Margie Moran. It was a short wait after the first victory of Gloria Diaz in 1969.

The final 15 contestants paraded around in bikinis while Charlie Puth performed his hits including “Marvin Gaye.” The final five contenders were asked about some serious issues facing the world. In fact, Miss USA was asked about gun control, but couldn’t finish her answer before the time ran out.

Backstage, Miss Philippines described the ending as a “very non-traditional crowning” in a video posted by the Miss Universe Organisation on Facebook. In another message on the Miss Universe Facebook page, Miss Colombia said she was still “happy” while wiping away tears with a tissue. “Everything happens for a reason … I’m so happy, thankyou for voting for me,” she said.

The Miss Universe Organisation has also issued a public apology, saying that “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, Miss Universe Philippines, their families and fans. We congratulate Miss Universe Philippines as Miss Universe 2015.” Regardless of the gowns, swimsuits, Q&A and performances, the public will likely be talking about Harvey’s mistake that he continues to feel awful about.