Steve who? The guy who shamed Miss Colombia
EASILY the most-talked-about event yesterday was not the winning of Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach of the Philippines as Miss Universe 2015 but the way her victory was announced, along with the transfer of the crown from Ariadna Gutierrez to her after it rested on Miss Colombia’s head for two minutes. Miss U contests have their own share of bloopers but this one would stand out in its 53-year history.
That was how long it took for the epic error at the Las Vegas beauty pageant to be corrected and yet it could haunt host Steve Harvey the rest of his life.
Who is Steve Harvey? Broderick Stephen “Steve” Harvey, 58, is a comedian, TV host, radio personality and author. He hosts the Steve Harvey Morning Show and the popular “Family Feud.” Since yesterday, though, he has been known and will be remembered as that guy who botched the announcement of Miss Universe 2015 pageant.
He’s probably the most hated man in Colombia now and will be so for some time. He embarrassed Ariadna who was already walking and waving on the stage when her bliss was interrupted with the correction of the error and the removal and transfer of the $30,000 crown to Pia.
Filipinos must also blame Steve for spoiling the most glorious moment in Miss Wurtzbach’s life.
But the Colombians probably hate him more and he should watch his back: Colombian thugs might raise their own version of a “jihad” against him.
Poor Harvey. When he tweeted his apology after the show, he also misspelled Miss Philippines, writing “Miss Philippians” instead. Just like his blooper on stage, the tweet was a “terribly honest human mistake.”
Oh yes, about Pia. She’s the third Filipina to win the Miss U crown. She said during the show that if she’d win, she’d be taking the crown home after 42 years. Gloria Diaz first won it in 1969 then Margie Moran took the crown in 1973.
U.S. presence, Pia
PIA was asked what she thought of U.S. military presence in the Philippines. Her answer, in sum, was “no problem.”
She prefaced that with (1) U.S. and PH having good relations, (2) the U.S. having colonized the country, to this day “we have their culture in our traditions,” and (3) we’re very “welcoming with” the Americans.
Apparently, she didn’t know about the opposition to U.S. military presence that led to the removal of the American bases in 1992 and a divided public o pinion about current moves to adopt an “enhanced” arrangement to allow U.S. ships and troops to stay in the country.
Filipina pageant candidates aren’t briefed about such political questions as the one raised to Pia. They might start revising prep courses soon.