Even though he is not hosting this year’s edition of Miss Universe, American television host Steve Harvey still found himself being talked about on the internet.
The entertainer’s contract with the Miss Universe Organization has ended, but his name entered local Twitter’s trending list shortly after Philippine bet Celeste Cortesi failed to make it to Miss Universe 2022‘s Top 16.
The 25-year-old Pasay beauty ended her journey despite being regarded as a frontrunner by some pageant communities.
The coronation night of the 71st edition of Miss Universe is currently happening in New Orleans, Louisana in the United States.
Former Miss Universe titleholder Catriona Gray is one of its backstage hosts.
READ: Catriona Gray steals spotlight as Miss Universe 2022 backstage host
Meanwhile, some Pinoys joked about “needing a Steve Harvey moment” after Celeste’s name was not called in the Top 16.
“We need some Steve Harvey’s ‘I have to apologize…’ moment up in hereeee #MissUniverse #MissUniverse2022,” a Filipino tweeted.
“Me ignoring the Top 16, hoping that Steve Harvey will come out and call Celeste for Top 5,” another Pinoy commented with a GIF.
“Steve Harvey is a lucky charm of the Philippines in Miss Universe. BRING BACK STEVE HARVEY!! #Cele5te #MissUniverse2022,” another online user quipped.
“St. Steve Harvey of false announcements and readings, we need you,” a different Pinoy tweeted.
Meanwhile, Steve, who hosted the pageant for six years, became famous after accidentally announcing the wrong Miss Universe 2015 titleholder.
At that time, he mistakenly announced Miss Colombia Ariadna Gutierrez as the winner during the coronation of the pageant’s 64th edition.
However, Steve’s card had shown the Philippines under the label “Miss Universe 2015” while Colombia was in the “first runner-up” category.
The winner of that eventful edition is Pia Wurtzbach.
In 2021, Steve said that there was a last-minute change to read three names on the stage. When they had run through the rehearsals, he said that they would only read two names.
“Well, in the teleprompter after I announced the second runner-up, the teleprompter said, ‘And the new 2015 Miss Universe is…'” he said in an interview before.
“The dude in my ear, said, ‘Read the next name on the card, Steve. Hold, hold, hold.’ I looked at the next card. I said, ‘Miss Colombia!'” the host added.
“I really didn’t make no (expletive) mistake. I did what they told me in my ear and I read that teleprompter. I took the card out there and showed the third name that they handed to me from the stage, but I had my thumb on it, it wasn’t no third name,” he continued.
Last year, Steve also made buzz during Miss Universe 2021 after some pageant fans commented about missing his hosting.
At that time, former Miss Universe titleholder Olivia Culpo was on hosting duty. Social media users thought that she lacked energy.
Some pageant fans think she has since redeemed herself in the 71st Miss Universe hosting.