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MANILA, Philippines – She described Miss Colombia as an “amazing woman.” And she asked fans to stop fighting and posting hateful messages.
Following the Miss Universe announcement mix-up that had the world talking, winner Pia Wurtzbach sent out a Christmas Day message on Friday, December 25. Pia is currently in New York, where she is preparing for a media tour.
Pia first thanked her supporters, as she recalled her 3 tries at Binibining Pilipinas before she finally won the crown.
“Words can’t describe how grateful I am for this. It was quite a journey getting here with 3 attempts at winning Miss Philippines. Now, I finally got the best Christmas gift ever – and not just for me, for my country. I’d like to say thank you to everyone who believed in my potential and those who supported me from the beginning. To everyone who voted for me, especially to my fellow countrymen, thank you. Maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat (Thank you all very much).”
Pia then talked about Miss Universe Colombia Ariadna Gutierrez, who won first runner-up. On the coronation night, host Steve Harvey misread the card and announced that Ariadna had won before apologizing and correcting himself.
“To Ariadna, you are an amazing woman and we are now bonded together forever by a unique experience,” wrote Pia. “In the last 3 weeks we were together, I saw how strong and beautiful you are inside and out. You represented your country with honor 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.” (READ: Miss Colombia congratulates Pia Wurtzbach, thanks supporters)
Two days ago, on December 23, Ariadna released a statement thanking her supporters and congratulating Pia. This after she posted photos of her brief time wearing the crown, which triggered a storm of protest from Pia’s fans.
The controversy raged online as fans fought over the other Miss Universe contestants’ reactions to the incident.
Miss Germany Sarah-Lorraine Riek said in an interview after the results that she and the other ladies did not support Pia’s win. She later apologized, but the Miss Universe-Germany Facebook page where the apology was posted was taken down.
“And to all the fans who are still fighting about this… Please let’s all stop now,” Pia said in her Wednesday message. “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. You believe in the message of Miss Universe and so do I.”
Meanwhile, second runner-up Miss USA Olivia Jordan also posted a message for Ariadna, Pia, and Steve.
What do you think of the fans’ reactions to the mix-up? Sound off in the comments! Rappler.com
More Miss Universe on Rappler:
Coronation night:
- WATCH: Miss Universe Germany upset over PH win
- PH’s Pia Wurtzbach wins Miss Universe 2015
- Mix-up seen ’round the universe: Host Steve Harvey announces wrong winner
- WATCH: Miss Philippines, Miss Colombia speak up on Miss Universe 2015 mix-up
- Pro-US bases? Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach should get a briefing, activists say
- What happened? Netizens chime in on #MissUniverse2015 mixup
- WATCH: Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach’s triumphant winning moment
- LIVE BLOG: Miss Universe 2015 coronation night
- Palace, politicians: Thank you, Pia, for this Christmas gift
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- Miss Universe PH Pia Wurtzbach sends out message before finals
- Miss Universe PH 2015 Pia Wurtzbach asks #AlDub fans: Support me
- IN PHOTOS: Miss Universe 2015 candidates share makeup-free selfies
- LOOK: Miss Universe PH 2015 Pia Wurtzbach’s national costume
- IN PHOTOS: A glimpse of the national costumes at Miss Universe 2015
- IN PHOTOS: Miss PH Pia Wurtzbach at Miss Universe preliminaries
- Miss Universe 2015: Miss Myanmar recovers from preliminary competition stumble
- Photo recap: Miss Universe 2015 preliminary competition
- Miss Universe PH Pia Wurtzbach: I’m not going to waste my victory
- Miss Universe 2015 pageant gets a confirmed date
- 5 things to know about Miss Universe PH Pia Wurtzbach
- N PHOTOS: Miss Universe PH Pia Wurtzbach’s official Miss Universe photos
- Miss Universe PH Pia Wurtzbach: Work around your weaknesses
- Emotional Pia Wurtzbach recalls challenging road to Miss Universe
- WATCH: Pia Wurtzbach wins Miss Universe PH crown
- IN PHOTOS: Recap, Miss Universe 2014-2015 coronation
- HIGHLIGHTS: Miss Universe 2014 coronation night
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