Steve Harvey Said His 2015 Miss Universe Pageant Mistake Was The "Worst Week" And Most "Painful" Night Of His Career It was a “painful night."

It was a “painful night."

by Joyann Jeffrey
BuzzFeed Staff

Steve Harvey is still feeling the aftermath of his 2015 Miss Universe pageant mistake.

Steve Harvey speaks during the 2017 Miss Universe Pageant. Frazer Harrison / Getty Images

During an appearance on Kevin Hart's podcast, Comedy Gold Minds, he revealed what happened when he mistakenly announced Miss Colombia, Ariadna Gutiérrez, as the winner of the pageant instead of the actual winner, Miss Philippines, Pia Wurtzbach.

(L-R) Miss Colombia 2015, Ariadna Gutierrez Arevalo, looks on as Miss Universe 2014 Paulina Vega removes her crown to give it to Miss Philipines 2015, Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach. Ethan Miller / Getty Images

“They said, we’ll announce the second runner-up, and then we’ll have standing there the first runner-up and Miss Universe, and we’ll do it that way,” he explained.

Steve Harvey (L) listens as Miss Colombia 2015, Ariadna Gutierrez Arevalo, answers a question during the interview portion of the 2015 Miss Universe Pageant. Ethan Miller / Getty Images

But when a third name was added to the teleprompter and he was told to read from it, Harvey got a little bit confused.

Steve Harvey (L) asks Miss Philippines 2015, Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach, a question during the interview portion of the 2015 Miss Universe Pageant. Ethan Miller / Getty Images

“I looked at the next card. I said, ‘Miss Colombia!’” the Family Feud host said.

Miss Colombia 2015, Ariadna Gutierrez Arevalo, reacts after being crowned the new Miss Universe when host Steve Harvey mistakenly named her the winner instead of first runner-up. Ethan Miller / Getty Images

However, when Harvey realized his mistake, he walked back on stage to dethrone Miss Colombia so they could give the crown to the actual winner.

(L-R) Miss Colombia 2015, Ariadna Gutierrez Arevalo, Miss Universe 2014 Paulina Vega and Miss Phillipines 2015, Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach, react. Ethan Miller / Getty Images

“I took my stupid ass back out there. I should have let them announce it the next day in the newspaper,” he said. “I wouldn’t have caught none of the hell I caught.”

Miss Philippines Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach (R), Miss Universe 2015 is congratulated by pageant friends on stage during The 2015 MISS UNIVERSE Show. Valerie Macon / Getty Images

Harvey said that ended up being the “worst week” of his career. He remembered people throwing rocks over the gate of his Atlanta home after he made the mistake.

Steve Harvey hosts the 2015 Miss Universe Pageant. Ethan Miller / Getty Images

It was a “painful night,” he said.

Steve Harvey smiles during the The 64th Annual Miss Universe Pageant Arrivals. Omar Vega / Getty Images

Harvey is still hosting the Miss Universe pageants. However, in 2020, the competition was postponed due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Miss Philippines 2015, Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach (C), answers a question as host Steve Harvey looks on during the interview portion of the 2015 Miss Universe Pageant. Ethan Miller / Getty Images

The Miss Universe 2021 pageant will air on May 16 from 8 to 11 p.m. ET. More details will soon be announced about which network the pageant will be airing on.

https://www.buzzfeed.com/joyannjeffrey/steve-harvey-on-miss-universe-pageant-2015