Sarah-Lorraine Riek, otherwise known as Miss Germany, has apologised to Miss Philippines after suggesting Miss Colombia should have won the Miss Universe contest.

After arguably the most controversial and eventful Miss Universe contest in years, Ms Reik gave a video interview in Las Vegas where she criticised the decision to award Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach (Miss Philippines) the coveted crown.

Ms Riek was asked her thoughts on the moment host Steve Harvey committed the ultimate live-TV blunder by mistakenly handing the crown to Ariadna Gutierrez (Miss Colombia).

The unfortunate incident was witnessed by over six million viewers in the US.

Ms Riek was shocked and angered by the decision. “I really couldn’t believe it," she said. "I was so upset… I was very happy for Colombia actually she really deserved it and I’m really not happy with the result and neither are the other girls.”

Explaining why she and fellow contestants rushed to support Ms Gutierrez after the mishap, Ms Reik said: “None of us [the other contestants] voted for the Philippines… I’m really not happy with the result.”

She described the mistake as a “nightmare” and suggested it could be “the worst thing to have ever happened in [Miss Gutierrez’s] life”.

A statement was later issued on behalf of Miss Germany on Facebook. The post, which is now 'unavailable', explained that Ms Riek sympathised with both girls caught up in the furore.

“She [Ms Reik] never intended to offend Miss Philippines in any way… She is really sorry if the video suggests anything else than that. It’s an emotional roller coaster… She and all the other girls felt so sorry for Colombia at that moment… That’s not the final result moment what you wish for anyone. And also for Pia.

“Sarah-Lorraine is very happy a half German girl brings the crown of course a bit to Germany as well! Congratulations to our friend of Philippines for winning the crown after all. She wishes Pia all the best for this year as Miss Universe 2015.”

Ms Reik was referring to the fact that Ms Wurtzbach’s father is German and her mother Filipino, she was born in Stuttgart.

Ms Wurtzbach told the Philippines Daily Inquirer she was pleased to have won but “felt sad for Miss Colombia”.

The Independent