Miss Universe 2015 Winner is Miss Philippiines; Watch Online Full Episode, Recap, Live Stream; Donald Trump's Pageant Days Are Over

By Mark Aserit

Pia Wurtzbach of Philippines won the Miss Universe title on Sunday night. We'll give you the latest details about the contest and Donald Trump's involvement in the Miss Universe organization.

In the final moments of the beauty pageant, it ended in shock and tears as Miss Colombia was demoted to being the first runner-up, and Miss Philippines being made the official winner. The mistake made viewes stunned, and other contestants crowded around Miss Colombia to show her some support after the on-air gaffe occurred.

More than 80 countries participated in the event with each one has their own representative. The international beauties will compete in Las Vegas at the 64th edition of the pageant. Also for the first time, audiences had a chance to vote on the winner, rating each contestant in the swimwear, evening gown and interview competitions.

Miss Universe 2015
Comedian Steve Harvey (C) poses with the 80 contestants of Miss Universe 2015 in this handout photo provided by The Miss Universe Organization prior to rehearsal at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, on December 19, 2015. REUTERS/Darren Decker/The Miss Universe Organization/Handout via Reuters

Let's talk about Trump's invovlement with the pageant. When he made anti-immigrant remarks in announcing his Republican presidential run, Spanish network Univision and NBC cut business ties with the business tycoon. In September, he sold the organization that includes the Miss Universe, Miss USA and Miss Teen USA pageants to entertainment company WME-IMG.

Related: Miss Universe 2015 Update: Mix Reactions to Host Steven Harvey's Blunder, Apology 

The republican presidential candidate and NBCUniversal co-owned the pageant until earlier this year.

Azteca America won the broadcast rights of the pageant just a few weeks ago. "It was such a shame for such an important event to the Hispanic community to be taken hostage by politics," Manuel Abud, CEO of the network said in a statement.

Sunday's live telecast begins at 7 p.m. ET (0000 GMT) on the Fox television network.

Miss Universe Philippines Pia Wurtzbach is among the Top 3 contestants who made it to the final. Among the panel of judges were Emmitt Smith, Niecy Nash, Olivia Culpo, and Perez Hilton.

Here is the full list of the Top 3:

  •  USA
  •  Colombia
  •  Philippines

Pia Alonzo Wurrtzbach is from Cagayan De Oro, Philippines. She was born in September 24 in Germany. The woman is also a celebrity personality and is now the first runner up of the Binibining Pilipinas 2013. She is more commonly known as Pia Romero as her screen name.

The newly crowned Ms. Universe finished secondary education with the ABS-CBN Distance Learning Center and studied culinary arts at the Center for Asian Culinary Studies in Metro Manila, Philippines.

She appeared on various fashion magazines as a cover model. Pia is currently a stylist and writer for the lifestyle section of a leading newspaper in the Philippines.