Next Top Model's Epic Fail

No, not Tyra Banks & Co.—Aussie version of the show declares wrong winner live on air

By Marianne Garvey Sep 28, 2010 6:30 PMTags

Tyra Banks would have had hit the roof over this. The Soup would have enough fodder for a dozen episodes. 

But as it is, we still get to enjoy the ultimate in live-TV screwups, thanks to YouTube and the ineptitude of somebody likely long since fired from Australia's Next Top Model, as host Sarah Murdoch accidentally declared the wrong person the winner of the catwalking contest on last night's finale.

Oops.

Murdoch initially announced 19-year-old Kelsey Martinovich as the champ, but then did a double take, no doubt as producers were yelling into her earpiece.

"Oh my God, I don't know what to say right now. I'm feeling a bit sick about this," Murdoch stammered. "No. I'm so sorry about this. Oh my God. I don't know what to say."

Amanda Ware, 18, originally believed she was the runner-up but wound up with the grand prize: modeling agency contract, $25,000 gig with Levi's, Ford Fiesta Zetec, $20,000 cash and an eight-page spread for Australian Harper's Bazaar.

The two finalists had been neck and neck with audience voters all night. Murdoch explained it was simply an honest mistake.

"This was a complete accident. It's Amanda, I'm so sorry. It was fed to me wrong," she said, visibly upset.

In a kind twist, the production company behind the show has offered to send both Amanda and Kelsey to New York to meet with Elite, and  Kelsey will also get a $25,000 consolation prize.

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Check ou the most interesting season of America's Next Top Model to date.