The prestigious Miss Universe pageant witnessed a shocking moment when host Steve Harvey wrongly named Miss Colombia Ariadna Gutierrez as the winner of the coveted crown.

While Miss Colombia was wiping away her tears of joy after being crowned as Miss Universe 2015, her glory lasted for just about a minute, when Harvey soon realised that he misread the winner's name.

The host apologised for the error and took full responsibility for the mistake and named Miss Philippines Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach as the winner of Miss Universe 2015. With this, Miss Colombia bagged the first runner's up crown. Miss Universe USA Olivia Jordon was named the second runner-up.

"I have to apologise," Harvey said at Las Vegas' Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino, just when Gutierrez, who had already put on the Miss Universe crown and sash, walked the stage as the winner. "The first runner-up is Colombia," Harvey announced. 

"I will take responsibility for this. It was my mistake... I can show it to you right here. Still a great night. Please don't hold it against the ladies," Harvey told the screaming crowd.

Wurtzbach looked stunned when she realised that she has won the prestigious title. She walked to the front of the stage and last year's Miss Universe from Colombia placed the crown on Wurtzbach's head. 

Soon after the error, Harvey, in a series of tweets apologised to the audience.

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

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

"I don't want to take away from this amazing night and pageant. As well as the wonderful contestants. They were all amazing," concluded Harvey.

Check out some twitter reactions on the controversy.

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