Was Steve Harvey's Miss Universe Gaffe a Publicity Stunt? 'No Way,' Source Says

After Miss Universe host Steve Harvey accidentally crowned Miss Colombia instead of the rightful winner, Miss Philippines, ET spoke with a source who explained the blunder.

Our source said there is "no way" the mistake was done for publicity, as some news outlets have questioned, but could be chalked up to Harvey simply being under-rehearsed. The comedian reportedly went to the beginning of rehearsals, but missed the last hour.

WATCH: Steve Harvey Missed End of Miss Universe Rehearsals

"It was intense," pageant judge Niecy Nash shared with ET exclusively. "It was hard, because when all the girls came down at the end, they didn't congratulate the real winner, which was Miss Philippines. Most of them went over to Miss Colombia, because they knew her heart was breaking."

Miss USA Olivia Jordan recalled what was going on in her mind at the height of all the confusion.

"I'm a little shocked. That was an insane ending," Jordan told ET. "Steve is a comedian, so I thought he was making a bizarre joke."

The actual winner, Miss Philippines -- 26-year-old Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach -- might have felt the confusion most of all.

EXCLUSIVE: Behind-the-Scenes of Steve Harvey's Miss Universe Mistake

"I had to ask them backstage many times, 'Did I really win? Am I really Miss Universe?'" she said.

ET has reached out to Harvey for comment, but we were told he is "unavailable." Meanwhile, Miss Colombia, 21-year-old Ariadna Gutierrez, left a message for fans in a web video, suggesting that she's ready to move on from the embarrassing blunder.

"Everything happens for a reason, so I'm happy," she said.

Miss Colombia Graciously Breaks Her Silence Following Awkward Miss Universe Mix-Up

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