Miss Universe announcement error could be publicity stunt

The initial shock over the dramatic twist during the Miss Universe 2015 coronation night is fading and hindsight is kicking in: Was all of it a way to get people talking about the pageant?

Being right there when it happened, not to mention being part of the panel that selected the winner, Miss Universe 2015 judge and celebrity blogger Perez Hilton was more than a little shocked when host Steve Harvey proclaimed Colombia as the winner.

All four judges sat there stunned as Miss Universe 2014 Paulina Vega placed the crown on Miss Colombia's head.

"My initial thought was: This is rigged!" Hilton exclaimed during the post-pageant podcast he recorded with Chris Booker, "They did this on purpose for publicity! I still find it hard to believe that he messed up this badly."

He tried to minimize the accusatory tone of his statements by explaining what he meant by "rigged," claiming he just found it "impossible" that Harvey could make such a mistake.

Hilton noted that Harvey's choice of words ("I'll take the responsiblity") was interesting, because he didn't just immediately disclaim that he made an error in reading the card in his hand.

Booker defended Harvey, saying that the host must've been flustered and the said that the design of the card was poor.

Whether or not it was a stunt, what is clear to Hilton is that Miss Philippines won the crown fair and square. —Aya Tantiangco/JST, GMA News