Miss Philippines crowned Miss Universe 2015 after live TV mixup

Miss Colombia had already been crowned Miss Universe when Steve Harvey realised his mistake

Possibly any pageant contestant's worst nightmare -- to be crowned and then told she has been wrongly crowned.

The incident was nothing short of cringe-worthy for the 2015 Miss Universe pageant contestant Miss Colombia, Ariadna Gutierrez, when host Steve Harvey misread the pageant winners' name and accidentally announced Ariadna as the winner.

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The outgoing Miss Universe, Paulina Vega, had already placed the crown on Ariadna Gutierrez Arévalo's head when Steve realised his mistake.

VIDEO: The moment the wrong @MissUniverse was crowned on LIVE television... #sun7 #MissUniverse2015 https://t.co/F2FJaUnQ5s

— Sunrise (@sunriseon7) December 21, 2015

Taking sole responsibility for the blunder, Steve turned to the camera and showed the card with the rightful winner's name. "Listen folks... this is exactly what's on the card," Harvey said. "I will take responsibility for this. It was on the card."

#MissUniverse2015 wasn't Steve's mistake. Poorly designed card, couldn't even spell 'elimination' correctly. pic.twitter.com/9uI0AfpQ79

— Jocelyn (@smilingjoce) December 21, 2015

Runner-up Miss Philippines, Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach, was visibly shocked and confused at the turn of events:

Meet Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach, our next #MissUniverse! pic.twitter.com/KQDGZjegSR

— Miss Universe (@MissUniverse) December 21, 2015

The Crowning Moment of the 64th #MissUniverse. pic.twitter.com/tkUUR5qfdR

— Miss Universe (@MissUniverse) December 21, 2015

One more look at the crowning of #MissUniverse 2015, Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach. pic.twitter.com/IQDfZcdX9k

— Miss Universe (@MissUniverse) December 21, 2015

https://twitter.com/oliviaculpo/status/678786383045988352

After being crowned, Pia mentioned that the crowning was 'nontraditional' and laughed it off.

The road to the #MissUniverse crown is never easy.

A message from Miss Universe 2015, Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach.https://t.co/GO7VBf45MW

— Miss Universe (@MissUniverse) December 21, 2015

Miss Philippines also seemed to be in good spirits after the incident.

A message from #MissUniverse Colombia, @gutierrezary.https://t.co/KBzZyyHJzy

— Miss Universe (@MissUniverse) December 21, 2015

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Steve took to Twitter to apologize for his mistake:
https://twitter.com/QueenBekificent/status/678782397794521088

I'd like to apologize wholeheartedly to Miss Colombia & Miss Philippines for my huge mistake. I feel terrible.

— Steve Harvey (@IAmSteveHarvey) December 21, 2015

Secondly, I'd like to apologize to the viewers at that I disappointed as well. Again it was an honest mistake.

— Steve Harvey (@IAmSteveHarvey) December 21, 2015

#MissUniverse2015 fast hit Twitter's top trending list:
https://twitter.com/shelbyb365/status/678818356116348928

#MissUniverse2015 I feel so bad for both ladies. What a horrible way to win and lose.

— Shannon Tweed-Simmons (@shannonleetweed) December 21, 2015

I cannot believe what I just saw on #MissUniverse2015

— Dulce Candy (@dulcecandy) December 21, 2015

Oh gosh, #MissUniverse2015 was actually the most painful thing to watch. That was so awkward, but congrats @PiaWurtzbach!

— Alecza Marie (@AleczaL) December 21, 2015

Whoooooooooooa!!!!!! That was one of the most uncomfortable things I've ever watched on live television! 😳 #SteveHarvey #MissUniverse2015

— Erik Valdez (@erikvaldez) December 21, 2015

https://twitter.com/ChimaSimone/status/678818047868559360
https://twitter.com/SincerelyxJaz/status/678816103552778240

OMG...did that just happen?? I feel so bad for #MissColombia #MissUniverse2015

— Stacy Fuson (@vitaminsbystacy) December 21, 2015

Can this please just be the end of beauty pageants now? Enough. #MissUniverse2015

— Josh Mankiewicz (@JoshMankiewicz) December 21, 2015

And soon people started joking about the matter:
https://twitter.com/Kelly_Reyescxx/status/678816584920522752

When you thought your friend gave you the right answers to the test #MissUniverse2015 pic.twitter.com/mOMnbMf5Y0

— Students Problems (@FactsLaughable) December 21, 2015

https://twitter.com/BP_2Vicious/status/678817942964834304

Wow... I feel bad for all the journalists who have already compiled their "Most Awkward Moments of 2015" Lists. #MissUniverse2015

— Corey Quintaine (@Quintaine) December 21, 2015

https://twitter.com/injuredvocals/status/678817633051918336
https://twitter.com/alyssa_watts/status/678817566786097152
https://twitter.com/BromanceManila/status/678818122233548800

When you see the waiter coming with your food but it turns out it's for the next table #MissUniverse2015 👸🏽👀 https://t.co/YsmR73xkEt

— Louis Tomlinson (@FaqihMohamed) December 21, 2015

People who just woke up and had no idea what happened in #MissUniverse2015 pic.twitter.com/R43lEKrJep

— The Weekly Diary (@TheWeeklyDiary) December 21, 2015