Could Bonang be the next Miss Universe host? Pageant boss responds!
Miss Universe owner Anne JKN has sparked speculation that she may be considering South Africa’s Bonang Matheba as the host for next month’s pageant.
Anne Jakrajutatip, also known as Anne JKN and the owner of Miss Universe, has addressed the calls for South African media star Bonang Matheba to host the upcoming pageant in Mexico next month.
Bonang, who hosted the Miss SA finale last month, has previously been nominated by the public to head the biggest international beauty competition.
Could she finally make the cut this year?
BONANG FOR MISS UNIVERSE HOST? OWNER RESPONDS!
Miss Universe 2024 will take place on 16 November in Mexico. However, the hosts have yet to be announced.
On the X platform, South Africans have been advocating for Bonang Matheba to be given the opportunity to become the first African host of the pageant.
One user – @SelfieRunnerZA – tagged both Miss Universe and its owner, Anne JKN, in his appeal. He tweeted: “If you give her just this one opportunity, you’ll want her back hosting every other year. I’m sure Miss SA will only be too happy to send you tapes where she hosted over the years”.
Surprisingly, Anne JKN responded to the tweet. “Beautiful,” she said of the image posted of Bonang.
Anne’s tweet sparked a frenzy on X, with many South Africans taking it as an affirmation that the Miss Universe boss was, at the very least, considering the public plea.
@KhutsoRapudi: “Thank you, Anne. You will be impressed with her work!”
@moeletsimo_: “A definite YES! You can never go wrong with Queen B!”
@Princeoswag: “She is a world-class host.”
@YourfaveBhuti: “Let’s go! Bonang is an impeccable talent, and the entire universe deserves to witness her talent. She who reigns supreme!”
PREVIOUS HOSTS OF THE PAGEANT
In 2022, Steve Harvey parted ways as host of the Miss Universe pageant after five consecutive years.
The actor and entertainer was reportedly given the boot after the pageant moved to the streaming service Roku. According to Variety, the new channel wanted new, fresh blood – and, in particular, a female to helm the show.
Last year, new hosts were revealed: former Miss USA and Miss Universe Olivia Culpo and TV host Jeannie Mai.
The pageant also announced backstage commentators, former Miss Universe and Miss Philippines Catriona Gray, as well as TV presenter Zuri Hall.