IANS, Manila – Miss Universe Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach from the Philippines has expressed kind words for Miss Colombia Ariadna Gutiérrez. Wurtzbach commended the runner-up on Instagram on Friday, nearly a week after Miss Universe host Steve Harvey’s on-air mistake in naming Miss Colombia the winner of the coveted crown, when Miss Philippines was the victor.
“To Ariadna, you are an amazing woman and we are now bonded together forever by a unique experience,” the Filipina-German actress wrote, reports people.com.
“In the last three weeks we were together, I saw how strong and beautiful you are inside and out. You represented your country with honour 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.”
And the Miss Universe title holder had a few words to say to those enraged by the pageant blunder. “To all the fans who are still fighting about this… Please let’s all stop now,” Wurtzbach said in an attempt to move past the controversy. She added, “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.”
Gutiérrez is focusing on the positive as well. The Colombian TV host and fashion model shared a post on her Instagram writing, “Your destiny is written for you. And my destiny was this. I was able to bring happiness to my country after becoming Miss Universe for only a couple of minutes.”
Harvey has also been a good sport about his talked-about gaffe. After apologizing to both ladies, the comedian poked fun at himself with a new mix-up, switching up his Christmas greeting with “Merry Easter”.
