Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach of the Philippines was crowned Miss Universe 2015, but only after some stage drama.
The ceremony's host Steve Harvey mistakenly mixed up the winners' names at the event, where India failed to clinch the title for the 15th straight year.
Wurtzbach beat as many as 79 contestants, including India's Urvashi Rautela who didn't find a spot even in the top 15, here on Sunday.
The top three contestants included beauties from the Philippines, Colombia and the US, who beat others in rounds like national costume, swimsuit and evening wear.
Earlier while announcing the results, Miss US Olivia Jordan was placed third and Wurtzbach was announced as the first runner-up. As a result, there was a mix up in the crowning ceremony too.
Miss Colombia Ariadna Guiterrez jumped with joy after the host took her country's name as the winner. She was crowned by another Colombian beauty -- Paulina Vega, who had clinched the crown in 2014.
It could have been two Miss Universe titles in a row for Colombia but soon after Guiterrez took her first walk as the winner, the host admitted to have made a mistake in announcing the winners.
The apology? Cringe. #MissUniverse pic.twitter.com/8Y23eOYB8j
— Derek Schnell (@DerekKCRA) December 21, 2015
"I will take the responsibility for this. It's on the card. Don't hold it against the ladies. Still a great night," Harvey told the audience.
Steve Harvey announces wrong winner of #MissUniverse2015, takes back the crown and moves it to another head. THIS IS HOW BEAUTY WARS START.
— Karen DaltonBeninato (@kbeninato) December 21, 2015
Vega then returned to the stage, took away the crown from Guiterrez and placed it on the head of Wurtzbach, who looked equally shocked as the others.
That moment when you thought your food was coming, but it turned out to be someone else's. #MissUniverse2015 pic.twitter.com/7mOwBdD27t
— Brétt Putnam (@BrettPutnam1) December 21, 2015
Wurtzbach, who believes that she is "confidently beautiful with a heart", thinks that the title is an honour with responsibilities. She wants to create awareness about HIV.
Earlier during the pageant when she was asked about the US reopening a military base in the Philippines, she said the two nations have always shared a good relationship with each other and due to colonisation, the Philippines still has the US culture. She said she has no problem with it.
When you see somebody's life get ruined on national television #MissUniverse2015 pic.twitter.com/Z5IEPjrCXc
— Lee Hart (@iamleehart) December 21, 2015
Apart from the judging panel that included actress Niecy Nash, celebrity entertainment mogul Perez Hilton, former Miss Universe Olivia Culpo and football legend Emmitt Smith, this year fans across the globe had a say in who should be crowned the Miss Universe.
Meta question: is there ever a "right" Miss Universe?
— John Berman (@JohnBerman) December 21, 2015
There was a surprise judge too -- the remaining 77 women, who could not make it to the top three, voted on the last answer.
Basically đđ #MissUniverse2015 pic.twitter.com/fKdVRU8sMr
— Ava Allan (@AvaAvaAllan) December 21, 2015
Musicians like Charlie Puth, Seal and The Band Perry added entertainment via their performances at Planet Hollywood here.
India last won the Miss Universe title in 2000. Lara Dutta, now an actress-producer, had brought the crown home.
