The 58-year-old was photographed gambling at the roulette table on Dec. 18, two days before the show, and according to TMZ, he was back just hours before he was set to take the stage on Sunday. Don’t worry, he reportedly only had a few drinks and didn’t gamble too crazy that day, but we have to wonder…could the long weekend of partying have distracted him?
Steve didn’t seem to have any problems throughout the majority of the 3-hour show, but at the end, things totally fell apart. He mistakenly announced Miss Colombia, Ariadna Gutierrez, as the winner of the competition, with Miss Philippines, Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach, as the runner-up…when it was really the other way around! Ariadna was already wearing the crown and sash, and had to have them both removed on live television — how awkward!
“Steve is mortified,” an insider told HollywoodLife.com EXCLUSIVELY. “He’s in disbelief he screwed up big time. Steve is usually an upbeat, funny man who’s always smiling and laughing. But this isn’t a laughing matter. He feels bad for himself, but more important, for Miss Colombia and Miss Philippines. He really didn’t mean to put them through that wave of emotions. Steve’s going to try to stay low for the next few days or so and hopes that this blows over.”
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The Family Feud host took to Facebook to reiterate how sorry he was on Dec. 21, but clearly, the damage had been done. Miss Colombia took the mistake graciously, and although she could not stop the tears from flowing, she remained classy and strong onstage. We can’t even imagine what she was going through in that moment! Check out Steve’s book HERE.
HollywoodLifers, do you think Steve’s time in the casino had to do with his big mistake at the pageant?