Steve Harvey apologizes for his 'horrible' mistake in announcing the wrong Miss Universe winner: 'I feel terrible'
The comedian was the host of the Miss Universe pageant on Sunday evening, where he accidentally announced the wrong winner. He misread a ballot card which showed Miss USA as second runner up, Miss Colombia as first runner up, and Miss Philippines as Miss Universe. Instead, he switched Miss Colombia and Miss Philippines and initially declared Miss Colombia the winner. It wasn't until after she had already put on the crown and sash and begun to wave that the mistake was corrected.
"OK folks, uh ..." Harvey said as he came back on stage. "I have to apologize. The first runner-up is Colombia. Miss Universe 2015 is Philippines!"
He continued, "Folks, let me just take control of this. This is exactly what's on the card," Harvey said, holding up the ballot for the cameras. "I will take responsibility for this. It was my mistake. It was on the card. Horrible mistake, but the right thing. I can show it to you right here," he said pointing.
"I'd like to apologize wholeheartedly to Miss Colombia and Miss Philippines for my huge mistake. I feel terrible. Secondly, I'd like to apologize to the viewers that I disappointed as well. Again it was an honest mistake. I don't want to take away from this amazing night and pageant. As well as the wonderful contestants. They were all amazing."
Both Miss Philippines and Miss Colombia acted graciously in the aftermath.