The most awkward showbiz night of 2015! Social media erupted in the hours that followed Steve Harvey‘s cringeworthy gaffe on Sunday, December 20, which saw him accidentally crown the wrong contestant Miss Universe 2015!
![Miss Colombia is de-crowned Miss Universe 2015](/wp-content/uploads/miss-universe-609df392-747e-40ab-9de6-502ae9a69a38.jpg?w=1000&quality=55&strip=all)
The horrendously uncomfortable moment occurred at the end of the pageant, when Harvey accidentally announced that Miss Colombia, Ariadna Gutierrez, had won the contest. A few moments later, as Gutierrez paraded around the stage celebrating in her new crown, Harvey returned to make the admission that he had made a “terrible mistake.” Miss Philippines, Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach, was actually the winner.
Moments after the error, Twitter and other social media erupted with astounded reactions from both fans and those involved. While Harvey took instantly to Twitter to apologize and take full responsibility for the situation (“I feel terrible,” he wrote, “it was an honest mistake”), the ladies involved — Gutierrez and Wurzbach — had their reactions filmed and shared via Facebook.
“Everything happens for a reason, so I’m happy,” a brave Miss Colombia announced as she came off stage. “Thank you for voting for me,” she added.
“It’s a very nontraditional crowning moment,” replied a still-shocked Miss Philippines. “Very 2015!” she added, attempting a joke.
Meanwhile, online commentators were universally flabbergasted, with #MissUniverse2015 becoming Twitter’s biggest overnight trend.
“And the winner is – Miss Information,” one Twitter user joked.
And the winner is – Miss Information #SteveHarvey #MissUniverse2015
— Mark Critch (@markcritch) December 21, 2015
“Oh man, announcing the wrong Miss Universe winner crowning her and TAKING HER CROWN AWAY afterwards. You just scarred a woman for life,” added another.
Oh man, announcing the wrong Miss Universe winner crowning her and TAKING HER CROWN AWAY afterwards.
You just scarred a woman for life.
— Statsman Bruno (@StatsmanBruno) December 21, 2015
One of the most hilarious reactions to the night was a photograph, digitally altered to stick Harvey’s head on Justin Bieber’s body with the message, “Is it too late now to say sorry?”
As the picture quickly went viral, the “What Do You Mean?” hitmaker himself couldn’t resist reposting the hilarious image.
“It’s so sad but this is too funny had to post no disrespect,” he added as he shared the photograph via Instagram.
Tell Us: What do you think about Steve Harvey’s unfortunate error?