Steve Harvey Says Family 'Got Death Threats' After Miss Universe Mix-Up, Winner Says 'Mistakes Happen'

Harvey mistakenly crowned the wrong woman at the 2015 Miss Universe pageant.

ByABC News
January 18, 2016, 6:00 PM

— -- Steve Harvey is opening up about his Miss Universe mix-up and coming face-to-face with the two women who were at the center of the controversy.

Last month, Harvey mistakenly crowned the wrong winner during the live taping of the 2015 Miss Universe pageant. The talk show host said that his mix-up made the pageant an "unforgettable night, but for the wrong reasons."

On Monday, Harvey spoke with Miss Universe winner Pia Wurtzbach for the first time since the pageant, and also answered fans' questions during the first of a two-part special taping for his syndicated daytime talk show "Steve Harvey," titled, "Miss Universe: The Truth."

Harvey, 59, revealed that after the Miss Universe show aired, his family received death threats because of his mistake.

"Here's the part that people don't understand. My family got death threats," Harvey said. "They threatened my wife, [and] they threatened my children."

He also denied rumors that the mix-up was a premeditated publicity stunt.

"I just wouldn't have brought that on myself," Harvey continued. "I'm perfectly comfortable with the fame level that I'm at."

And the talk show host refuted claims that he missed rehearsals, stating that he was at "every single rehearsal."

Harvey spoke with Miss Universe 2015, and the pageant winner vouched for Harvey's claims that he was present at all of the rehearsals.

"Steve was there throughout all the rehearsals," Wurtzbach said. "I don't know where that rumor came from, but I can tell you this--he was there throughout everything."

Wurtzbach also spoke about what her life has been like since being crowned, and noted that she has no ill feelings towards Harvey because of his mix-up.

"It was an honest mistake--mistakes happen," Wurtzbach said.

Part 2 of “Miss Universe: The Truth,” will air on Tuesday, Jan. 19.