Awkward moment as Australia’s Next Top Model announces wrong winner

In what Internet-speak would deem an ‘epic fail’, Australia’s Next Top Model contest judge and finale compere announced the wrong winner at the live finale on Tuesday.

During a scenario that our own Tiffany Pisani will be experiencing next week – only, it is hoped, with a lot less hiccups – Australia’s top model hopeful Kelsey Martinovich was named as the winner of Australia’s Next Top Model, only for her joy to be cut short by an extremely embarrassed and apologetic Sarah Murdoch, who revealed that the accolade will in fact be going to fellow finalist Amanda Ware. 

Martinovich, 19, handled the situation maturely, acknowledging that what happened was due to an “honest mistake,” while Ware, 18, robbed of a climactic victory, poked fun at the situation by letting out a deflated “yey!”

Television channel Foxtel will be compensating Martinovich with an all-expenses paid trip to New York, as well as AU$25,000 dollars. The finalists will also share the cover of Harper’s Bazaar November issue, since there were only three votes separating the two girls from victory.