By Dan Satherley
In what is being described as one of the most dramatic screw-ups in Australian television, the host of Australia's Next Top Model last night announced the wrong girl the winner of the competition - in front of a live TV audience.
Click here to watch the clip.
For over a minute, runner-up Kelsey Martinovich believed she had won a New York modelling contract, a $25,000 ad campaign, a Ford Fiesta, AU$20,000 cash and a spot on the cover of Bazaar magazine.
Queenslander Amanda Ware was gracious in defeat, but things took a turn for the bizarre when first, a mock-up of the magazine cover projected onto the wall behind the three women showed Ware's image, not Martinovich.
About 15 seconds later, host Sarah Murdoch – a terrified look on her face, and her hand adjusting the radio in her ear – said, "Oh my god… I don't know what to say right now. I'm feeling a bit sick about this. No. I'm so sorry about this. Oh my god…"
Martinovich and Ware looked around, confused, while Murdoch continued.
"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."
Martinovich took it well, telling the distraught host "it's okay".
Murdoch pleaded with the shell-shocked audience: "This is what happens when you have live TV, folks. This is insane… How did this happen?"
The contestants hugged, then Martinovich turned to Murdoch and told her, "It's okay. It's an honest mistake. It's fine, it's alright."
They both turned towards a clearly confused Ware, who let out a bemused whoop of celebration, drawing cheers and laughter from the audience.
Broadcasting company Foxtel applauded the way the trio handled the situation, saying: "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 AU$25,000 as a prize."
New Zealand's Next Top Model screens on TV3 on Friday nights.
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