Miss Universe says Steve Harvey should return as pageant host despite mix-up

Miss Universe favors Harvey’s Return as Host Despite Mix-Up (John Locher/AP Photo

Despite his colossal mistake crowning the wrong Miss Universe last month, the winner, Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach, said she believes Steve Harvey should return to host the pageant next year.

“Yeah, why not?” Wurtzbach of the Philippines told “Good Morning America” co-anchor Lara Spencer in her first sit-down interview as Miss Universe. “I think he’s a breath of fresh air, he made us feel very relaxed, the contestants. It makes us show our personalities a little bit more. I think that benefits everybody, especially the viewers.”

Wurtzbach, 26, said she “has her theories” on why Harvey accidentally named runner-up Miss Colombia Ariadna Gutierrez as the winner.

“Maybe the way it was written, it was a little confusing,” she said. “I understand. It was his first time to judge a pageant, but it’s OK. He’s human. People make mistakes.”

Wurtzbach said she’s “thankful” judges like Perez Hilton were sympathetic toward her after Harvey’s mix-up but, regardless, she holds no ill-will toward the comedian.

“It’s live television,” she said. “People make mistakes and Steve Harvey was very gracious to apologize. I accept his apology and I think it speaks a lot about his character.”