Vietnamese-American TV personality to host 2022 Miss Universe

By Phuong Mai   January 5, 2023 | 07:21 pm PT
Emmy award-winning TV personality Jeannie Mai Jenkins and the 2012 Miss Universe Olivia Culpo will co-host the 71st Miss Universe finale in the U.S. on January 14.

They will replace TV host Steve Harvey, who has been the MC for the last five events, according to Variety magazine.

"With Culpo as a successful former titleholder and Jeannie’s work in redefining what it means to be a working mother, both women are true examples of the momentum the Miss Universe Organization is building," its CEO, Amy Emmerich, said in a statement.

Last October Thai business mogul Anne Jakkaphong Jakrajutatip made history as the first woman to own the global beauty pageant after buying the Miss Universe Organization for US$20 million.

Harvey hosted the events following a deal with FOX channel, which however has sold the rights to broadcast in English to streaming platform The Roku Channel. Telemundo Channel owns the Spanish language rights.

Jeannie Mai Jenkins attends a red carpet event in 2018. Photo courtesy of the artists Facebook

Jeannie Mai Jenkins attends a red carpet event in 2018. Photo courtesy of the artist's Facebook

Jenkins, 43, was born to a Vietnamese mother in California, and is known for hosting TV shows like "How Do I Look?" and "The Real", and behind-the-scenes at the 2011 Miss Universe pageant.

Olivia Culpo, 30, who became Miss America en route to winning Miss Universe, is a successful model.

She has dated a number of famous people, including singer Nick Jonas and athlete Danny Amendola.

 
 
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