Post date: Sep 29, 2010 1:50:27 PM
Host Sarah Murdoch, daughter-in-law of media mogul Rupert Murdoch, announces wrong winner for top model contest live on Australian TV.
Shotlist
AUSTRALIA-TOP MODEL- And Australia's Next Top Model is... not Kelsey Martinovich.
Producers of the television modelling contest have been left red-faced after supermodel host Sarah Murdoch announced the wrong winner at the show's televised finale
The daughter-in-law of media baron Rupert Murdoch announced before a 2,000-strong live audience that 19-year old Martinovich had won the Foxtel competition.
Martinovich had just enough time to finish her acceptance speech before Murdoch realised the error - that the actual top model was 18-year-old rival Amanda Ware.
Host Sarah Murdoch saying:
"I'm feeling a bit sick about this, no, I am so sorry about this, oh my god, I don't know what to say, this was a complete accident, I am so sorry, it is Amanda, I am so sorry, it was fed to me wrong."
Taking the news well, it was actually Martinovich who ended up comforting Murdoch, who was near tears.
Runner-Up Kelsey Martinovich saying:
"It's fine, don't worry, it's okay. Don't be ridiculous, it's an honest mistake, it's fine."
It wasn't long before the gaff went viral on the internet and Australian newspapers have already branded it as the country's most awkward TV moment.
Foxtel later blamed a miscommunication between directors in a broadcasting control room and Murdoch on stage.
Martinovich's reign as Australia's Next Top Model may have been the shortest in the show's history but she won't be walking away empty handed.
Foxtel said she will receive a 20,000 Australian dollar cash prize and trip to New York as consolation.
Appearing together on a breakfast talk show together the next morning, the winner and runner-up said there were no hard feelings.
Runner-Up Kelsey Martinovic saying
"Of course I felt really good for that thirty seconds, you know Amanda won, fair and square with the votes and you know like I said I was here for the career and I want a modelling career, I feel like I have achieved that."
On the same program, series judge Alex Perry rejected speculation that the mix-up was a last minute publicity stunt to boost ratings.
Doug MacLaurin, Reuters.