Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach wrote a Facebook post to Miss Colombia Ariadna Gutierrez on Thursday, December 24, after Steve Harvey mixed up the results on the show's live TV broadcast on Sunday, December 20.
“Words can't describe how grateful I am for this,” Wurtzbach, 26, wrote. “Now, I finally got the best Christmas gift ever — and not just for me, for my country. I'd like to say thank you to everyone who believed in my potential and those who supported me from the beginning. To Ariadna, you are an amazing woman and we are now bonded together forever by a unique experience.”
The Family Feud host, 58, made a huge flub when he announced the wrong winner of the 2015 Miss Universe pageant on December 20, mistakenly proclaiming Gutierrez to be the winner. He took to Facebook to apologize later that night.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=nmqAjr0xs04
"I know how much pride many countries, fans and most importantly, the contestants take in preparing for this night,” he wrote on Sunday night. "All contestants were amazing but I want to specifically apologize to Miss Colombia and Miss Philippines again and wholeheartedly. You both represented well for your countries, families and yourselves."
In her own post, Wurtzbach also shared how she bonded with Gutierrez throughout the competition, assuring fans that there was no bad blood between them.
“In the last three weeks we were together, I saw how strong and beautiful you are inside and out,” she wrote. “You represented your country with honor and I know how proud everyone must be of you. Fate has a plan for you, and I’m excited to see what’s ahead.”
The beauty queen also urged fans to stop arguing over the now-infamous blunder.
“And to all the fans who are still fighting about this…Please let's all stop now,” she urged. “The Miss Universe Organization is about uniting empowered women from all over the world. Arguing and sending hateful messages to each other defeats the whole purpose. You believe in the message of Miss Universe and so do I. Again, thank you for the love. I'm excited to begin my duties as Miss Universe and I wish everyone, all the contestants and all the supporters a great holiday with their loved ones. Happy Holidays and let's look forward to a great start to the new year!”
