Pia Wurtzbach's message to Miss Colombia: 'I'm very sorry, I wish her well'

Pia Wurtzbach (R) is crowned Miss Universe after a mixup. Reuters/Steve Marcus

Miss Philippines was named Miss Universe Sunday (Monday, Philippines time) in a drama-filled turn worthy of a telenovela.

The pageant's host, comedian Steve Harvey, misread his cue card and initially announced Miss Colombia, Ariadna Gutierrez, as the winner.

She was briefly, very fleetingly, crowned in Las Vegas and started the customary smiling and waving.

But not for long.

As she blew kisses at an adoring and ecstatic crowd, Harvey awkwardly delivered a shocker.

"OK folks, I have to apologize. The first runner up is Colombia."

"Miss Universe 2015 is Philippines," he added as the music began anew, with the Colombian contestant left like a deer in headlights and the actual winner, Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach, looking stunned and mouthing "What?"

And all on live television with millions watching from Manila to Manchester.

"Listen folks, let me just take control of this," Harvey stammered as a perplexed audience held its breath, cheers mixing with boos.

"This is exactly what's on the card. I will take responsibility for this. It was my mistake, it was on the card," he said.

"It was my mistake, still a great night," added the talk show host.

"Please don't hold it against the ladies, please don't," he pleaded.

"We feel so badly but it's still a great night. Thank you all."

The glittering crown was then promptly placed on Alonzo Wurtzbach's head and that was that.

Not so on social media where the awkward mistake spread like wildfire, with the #MissUniverse2015 hashtag trending.

"People are human, mistakes can happen. Luckily some have the bravery to own it & take a step to correct it. Hugs to #MissUniverse2015 wow," tweeted Audrey Bolte, who described herself as Miss Ohio USA 2012.

Alonzo Wurtzbach told reporters after the ceremony that she wished the jilted winner well.

"I'm very sorry, I did not take the crown from her and I wish her well in whatever she wants to pursue after this pageant," she said.

The contest is wildly popular in Latin America and much of Asia. --Agence France-Presse