American TV host and comedian Steve Harvey will be back on the Miss Universe stage.
A year after his infamous blunder when he mistakenly announced Miss Colombia Ariadna Gutierrez as Miss Universe 2015 winner, when it was supposed to be Miss Philippines Pia Wurtzbach, a tourism official confirmed on Friday, July 29, that he will still be hosting this year's edition.
Earlier, it was announced that Philippines will be the host for Ms. U 2016!
According to Tourism Undersecretary Kat de Castro, the TV host told the pageant organization that he wants to personally apologize to the Filipinos after his huge mistake in the 2015 pageant.
De Castro told DZMM, "He wants to apologize to the Filipinos who were hurt because of what happened."
Even President Rodrigo Duterte expressed shock when he learned that Harvey will be returning as host.
"Sabi niya, 'Bakit?' Dagdag pa niya, 'He is a disaster.' Ginanun ako ni Presidente. E, sabi ko, 'Sir, mukhang iyon na po talaga ang naging desisyon ng mga taga-Miss Universe.' Tumawa na lang siya," related the undersecretary.
Harvey, according to reports from an American news outlet, has a multi-year contract (three years, or possibly even up to seven years) with the Miss Universe Organization.
For Miss U 2016, Philippines will be rooting for 25-year-old Maxine Medina. She will attempt to succeed Wurtzbach, the first Filipina to win the Miss Universe title after four decades.