Here’s the rundown! Steve Harvey revealed exactly what happened when he accidentally named Ariadna Gutierrez Miss Universe during a new interview with the Today show’s Natalie Morales.
The Family Feud host, 59, was joined by Gutierrez, 22, for the chat, which aired on Wednesday, January 20. Harvey, who was confused by the results card at the time, is now also blaming the teleprompter.
“I was ashamed at the mistake, but I was also a little bit angry at the mistake. A lot of people could have stepped up and said, ‘I played a role in this too. I made a mistake too.’ Nobody did,” Harvey explained. “I read the teleprompter and clearly I read what it said to read. And then I followed the direct instruction in my ear. We went straight from ‘And the new 2015 Miss Universe is’ and when he said read the card, all the cards in rehearsal never had any of that on there except [for the] name.”
“We didn’t rehearse it that way. I didn’t know the information was going to be on the card,” he continued. “Had I taken a moment and looked down on the card — but I was trying to keep it so nobody saw. And I blew it.”
As previously reported, Harvey received death threats after naming Gutierrez, 22, the winner, instead of the real victor, Miss Philippines Pia Wurtzbach, 26. He told Morales that he “beefed up security” and slammed claims that he may have been drinking before the live show.
“I’ve never been drunk a day in my life,” he said. “Nor was it the result of poor practice. I did a full run-through with everybody perfectly.”
Gutierrez has forgiven Harvey since the blunder, and the two even hugged during their joint interview. “We are human beings. Everyone is able to make mistakes,” she said. “I felt humiliated, but not of Steve Harvey’s mistake for what happened. I was like, ‘Oh, my God. I’m not Miss Universe now? What am I going to do now? Everyone is going to laugh at me and make fun of me.'”
But that hasn’t appeared to be the case. Instead, Gutierrez received support from her country and has racked up plenty of magazine covers.
“She’s probably the most famous Miss Universe contestant of all time. Her face is everywhere. Her name is everywhere,” Harvey told Morales.
“Well, I’m going to give you my prediction. The two of you will be hosting next year,” Morales replied.
“I promise you,” Harvey said. “This woman will be on that stage next year.”
Watch the video above!
