In just a few weeks, the world will meet the 71st Miss Universe in New Orleans, U.S.A. But before a new queen is crowned, the organization behind the pageant announced a different sort of important names—the competition’s hosts! And while there’s certainly Filipino representation with Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray as a backstage emcee, another Pinoy name was supposedly tapped: the King of Talk himself, Boy Abunda.
READ: Boy Abunda Was Reportedly Offered to Be One of the Hosts for Miss Universe 2022
According to PEP.ph’s Cabinet Files, the veteran host was among the potential commentators of the upcoming Miss Universe 2022. Their source reportedly said that the pageant’s organization was impressed by Boy’s hosting job at an event in New York City, which ultimately led them to seek him in November 2022.

The organization was familiar with the host’s body of work, especially with his in-depth interviews with previous Filipina titleholders Pia Wurtzbach and Catriona. The two beauty queens were also under his tutelage during their training in public speaking.
However, the report mentioned that Boy turned down the hosting offer, with speculations that this was due to scheduling conflicts with his recent return to GMA-7. With the end of Miss Universe’s five-year deal with previous host Steve Harvey, the upcoming coronation will now see an all-female host lineup with Miss Universe 2012 Olivia Culpo and Jeannie Mai-Jenkins, alongside backstage emcees Catriona and Access Hollywood correspondent Zuri Hall.
The 71st Miss Universe coronation, happening at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.A., will be streamed live on January 15 at 9 a.m. (Manila time) on A2Z, Kapamilya Channel, Metro Channel, and iWantTFC.
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