Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach Reaches Instagram Milestone As Miss Germany Breaks Silence Following Controversial Statement
Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach officially hits 1 million followers on Instagram just before the year ends. The 26-year-old shared a Twitter video thanking her followers for being amazing.
I can't believe we hit 1 MILLION followers on Instagram! You are all amazing, thank you. #?? -Pia @piawurtzbach pic.twitter.com/GCb4cH1GrX
— Miss Universe (@MissUniverse) December 27, 2015
Her journey to the crown wasn’t devoid of challenges. After Steve Harvey’s announcement gaffe, Wurtzbach had to deal with bashers who believed that she stole the crown. The shocking turnabout left the candidates onstage mortified.
“I really couldn’t believe it. I was so upset because, for me, she was robbed…I was very happy for Colombia, actually she really deserved it. But I’m very unhappy with the result and so were the other girls, I’m very sorry to say it.”
An official statement from her organization claims that Riek does not intend to be rude to Wurtzbach and that what she said was the result of an “emotional rollercoaster.” Miss Germany Corporation, the group organizing the country’s beauty contest since the 1900s, was also quick to emphasize that Riek’s statement did not echo their point of view.
COMMENT #missuniverse
We congratulate Miss Philippines to her title Miss Universe!
BUT Sarah Lorraine does NOT REFLECT OUR POINT OF VIEW!— Miss Germany Studios (@MissGermany) December 21, 2015
Riek broke her silence and penned a post on Instagram claiming that her interview was manipulated and she had nothing but support for Wurtzbach.
“There are some tryin’ to hold me back to not star a war with media but I want to stop the fooling for money. Especially to the passionated fans from the Philippines, I love your country – I was there with my mom in 2013 to help in medical care after Haiyan and I made a lot of friends there.”
She went on to claim that a billion-dollar media business never really cared for 81 beautiful souls.
“I want Pia to have the fans and support she deserves and I want all our Queens to get the LOVE they deserve. Each and every one of them deserves respect and support, no matter what media is trying to tell you about who they are. Sadly there is a business behind it, a billion dollar business that only works with the right attention, the right scandals to make a lot of money. They don’t care for 81 beautiful souls that just follow their dream, making friends for a lifetime.”
Following the host’s coronation night blunder, the Miss Universe candidates were instantly separated into two groups. Some went to Miss Colombia’s side to console her, while some went to Miss Philippines to congratulate her.
Miss Montenegro Maja Cukic, clad in a green gown, stood out in the video. When Wurtzbach tried to approach the group, Cukic merely looked at her and turned her back on Wurtzbach while shaking her head. The gesture earned the ire of Wurtzbach’s supporters who considered the act disrespectful. On Sunday, Cukic’s pageant organization issued an apology.
“Congratulations on Pia Wurtzbach title of Miss Universe 2015. The girl is beautiful, worthy to bear the title of most beautiful girl and with her behavior and beauty to be an example for all girls around the world. We are sorry that a technical error that occurred in the live program caused unpleasant comments at the expense of her title. The whole misunderstanding had stressful affect all contestants, especially to Miss Colombia and Miss Philippines. We apologize to the fans and organizers of the Miss Philippines due to unintentional gesture of our representatives, Miss Montenegro.”
Despite the furor surrounding the pageant, Wurtzbach’s cheerful disposition remains. She asks everyone to stop sending hate messages to each other as such act defeats Miss Universe’s aspiration to empower women.
[Image via Ethan Miller/Getty Images]
