It seems like the Miss Universe finale mix-up is turning out to be a never ending discussion, for not just the fans and followers, even for the contestants. We are all aware how Steve Harvey announced Colombia as the new winner and then came back to rectify his mistake and announced Philippines as the winner instead. It was one of the most embarrassing and awkward moments that still had social media abuzz. 24 years old Refilwe Mthimunye, the representative of South Africa has something to share about the whole Miss Universe 2015 blunder.
Speaking to the Sunday Tribune, Mthimunye said when Harvey announced Miss Colombia all the contestants were shocked and confused because they had voted for Miss Philippines. “The contestants got to vote for who should take the crown, this is based on how she answered a question and on her personality. We had spent two weeks together and we knew each other. Most of the girls had voted for Miss Philippines. When the winner was announced the autocue machine we were looking at had the correct name, but Steve announced Miss Colombia. For a few seconds we kept quiet and looked at each other with shock because we knew who we had voted for,” she said.
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Mthimunye also added that the whole gaffe robbed the winner of the happiness she deserved, and added, “When Steve corrected his mistake, we were relieved, but it was still awkward because there was Miss Colombia heartbroken and trying to be strong and the actual Miss Universe not sure if she should be excited. She feared the crown would also be taken from her. I went to congratulate her because she really deserved it. I also had hoped that maybe they made a mistake by eliminating me.”
Also, Miss South Africa 2004, Claudia Henkel said what happened was completely unacceptable. “My heart goes out to Miss Colombia…, I think when she got home everything came back and it hurt her, it is a feeling that she will never get rid of,” said Henkel.
South African publicist, Melanie Ramjee, said: “It was the most spoken about event on social media for over a week. But I believe it was a genuine mistake on his part. It didn’t look rehearsed. Also the announcement card should have been printed separately as it usually is at these pageants.”
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