Australia’s Top Model announces wrong winner during live results show

The winner of Australia’s Next Top Model sixth cycle first thought she lost, after the host announced the wrong winner during the live finale last night. Amanda Ware actually won, but only learned that in the middle of runner-up Kelsey Martinovich’s celebration after she was first announced as the winner.

As sparks showered behind them, host Sarah Murdoch seemed confused and then looked stunned. Holding her earpiece, she said, “Oh my god, I don’t even know what to say right now. I’m feeling a bit sick about this. No. I’m so sorry about this, oh my god. I don’t know what to say. This was a complete accident, I’m so sorry. It’s Amanda. I’m so sorry. It was fed to me wrong.”

Murdoch ended up making it about herself so much that the actual runner-up, the person who’s dream was just been crushed, ended up comforting the host: “It’s okay, it’s all right!”

The Sydney Morning Herald reports that Kelsey will receive $25,000 and a trip to New York as a result of the error. A spokesperson told the paper, “Tonight we saw the perils of live TV. At the time of the result announcement there was a miscommunication between the broadcast truck and the stage. Sarah handled what was a difficult situation with utmost professionalism and grace. Amanda and Kelsey were neck and neck in the voting all night. We apologise to Kelsey for the error, and Foxtel will be sending her to New York as well as awarding her $25,000 as a prize.”

Here’s video of that moment: