From flubbing the Miss Universe winner, to that loud jacket: Steve Harvey's most iconic hosting moments
After missing a year of hosting the Miss Universe pageant, Steve Harvey is back on the grand stage again.
Harvey first hosted the pageant in 2015 and made a big blunder: he crowned the wrong queen. Despite the mistake, the Family Feud host was still invited back as a presenter yearly.
This year's pageant was one to remember for Harvey. His daughter Lori was part of the Selection Committee and he served up a look that became the talk of Twitter. Let's look back at some of Harvey's iconic hosting moments from Miss Universe 2021 and from past pageants.
Getting the 2015 Miss Universe winner wrong
It was down to the wire between Miss Colombia Ariadna Guitérrez and Miss Philippines Pia Wurtzbach in 2015. Harvey named Guitérrez the winner but as she took her first walk as the crowned queen, the host walked back on stage to retract his declaration.
"I have to apologize," Harvey began, taking an awkward pause. "The first runner-up is Colombia... Miss Philippines, take your first walk as Miss Universe."
In a podcast with Kevin Hart, the host explained that the mistake was due to the fact that they only read two names during rehearsals: the second runner-up and the winner.
Facing Filipinos in Manila
In 2016, Harvey found himself in the Philippines as the pageant was held in Manila. He again apologized to Filipinos onstage and said, "Pia is one remarkable woman."
Later in the show, Wurtzbach met face-to-face with Harvey.
"Steve, I never got to thank you for making me the most popular Miss Universe," she said before hugging the host.
The Miss Universe 2015 queen even handed Harvey a pair of glasses before he read out the winner.
Miss Universe Costa Rica roasts Harvey
In the 2018 pageant, Costa Rica's Natalia Carvajal was interviewed about her experience hosting her own show. The beauty queen hilariously gave Harvey some tips years after his infamous blunder.
"The outfit is fine, the smile is always great, but I have to give you some advice for the future, just in case. Come here because I don't want everyone to hear," she said, gesturing to the host to come closer.
"If they ever give you a really really really important envelope, try to read carefully. Okay?" Carvajal joked.
"Y'all thought that was funny?" Harvey messed with the crowd. "Y'all just won't let it go."
'Hey, this is Israel!'
As he announced the next candidate in the top 16 during this year's edition of the pageant, the 64-year-old presenter was stunned after hearing the cheers for Miss Philippines Beatrice Gomez.
"Umm, we're in Israel. Hey! This is Israel!" he joked in a louder voice.
What's up Philippines! You're in the Top 16! #MISSUNIVERSE
— Miss Universe (@MissUniverse) December 13, 2021
The 70th MISS UNIVERSE Competition is airing LIVE around the world from Eilat, Israel on @foxtv pic.twitter.com/nVYjyozR9E
Asking Miss India to do animal impressions
The host asked Miss India Harnaaz Sandhu to do her best animal impersonation onstage. This was strange because he asked the other 16 finalists about their accomplishments.
"Oh my god, Steve, I was not expecting to do this on the world stage," she said before proceeding to make cat noises.
Sandhu took it all in stride and later won the Miss Universe crown. Fans, however, weren't all too happy about this as they found it ridiculous.
OMG Miss India meowing at Steve Harvey is not what I was expecting to see tonight. Pretty sure the Miss Universe organization could have asked a better question… very frustrating but she was nothing if not confident.
— Sarakshi Rai (@Sarakshi) December 13, 2021
What a ridiculous first question was that? Miss India had so much more to say… #MissUniverse2021
— Katerine ? (@KaterineAriasH) December 13, 2021
*That* jacket
This year, Harvey donned a shimmering black suit with a scarf to match, which looked very classy. But of course, he had to take it up a notch and make an outfit change before the top 5 Q&A portion.
The host returned in a bright, colorful jacket with a loud print. He even asked his daughter for an opinion about his fashion moment after she complimented the Miss Universe candidates.
"And your father's jacket?" he asked.
"You look nice, too, dad," Lori replied.
On Twitter, the jacket has been receiving mixed reactions with some users lowkey living for it and others absolutely finding it too much.
Love the jacket Steve Harvey but stop being extra ??? #MissUniverse pic.twitter.com/FiEnJv5HCe
— Denise (@eurodpt) December 13, 2021
Y’all watching Miss Universe 2021? Steve Harvey’s jacket is pissing me off soooo bad ?
— Dub (@smoothoperatHER) December 13, 2021
Congrats to Miss India but the real Miss Universe 2021 has to be Steve Harvey’s jacket pic.twitter.com/hk8KUQtYnY
— Monisha (@mondeydreaming) December 13, 2021
A scripted mistake?
Before crowning the night's winner, the veteran host almost made another embarrassing blunder. Instead of saying "Paraguay," he said "Portugal," which got confused looks from Miss Paraguay Nadia Ferreira and Miss India Harnaaz Sandhu.
However, Harvey bounced back from the mistake quickly, saying, "They wrote Portugal on the damn sign trying to get me again but I'm not going for it this year."
"They had Portugal on the sign, y'all saw it. Don't try to blame me for it this year," he added.
A bizarre kerfuffle from @IAmSteveHarvey “Congratulations Portugal”, followed by confused looks from Miss Paraguay, Miss India, and Miss South Africa. We still love you, Steve! #SteveHarvey #Portugal #MissUniverse #Paraguay #MissIndia #MissSA #misssouthafrica pic.twitter.com/iMOiLMdpmU
— Jennifer Su (Jen Su) (@jennifer_su) December 13, 2021
