Steve Harvey. AP FILE PHOTO
Barely two weeks before he hosts the Miss Universe pageant in the Philippines, Steve Harvey is in hot water for a controversy—again.
In an episode of the “Steve Harvey” show, he blatantly mocked a 2002 book entitled “How to Date a White Woman: A Practical Guide for Asian Men,” saying the book’s advice to Asian-American men can be summed up in one page.
“Excuse me, do you like Asian men?’ ‘No.’ ‘Thank you,'” he told the audience. He pretended to ask an African-American lady and acted out her reply, “I don’t even like Chinese food, boy. It doesn’t stay with you no time. I don’t eat what I can’t pronounce.”
His racist jabs rankled the ears of restaurateur-host Eddie Huang, who penned a column for The New York Times pounding the American host.
“Yet the one joke that still hurts, the sore spot that even my closest friends will press, the one stereotype that I still mistakenly believe at the most inopportune bedroom moments…is that women don’t want Asian men,” Huang admitted. “Attractiveness is a very haphazard dish that can’t be boiled down to height or skin color, but Asian men are told that regardless of what the idyllic mirepoix is or isn’t, we just don’t have the ingredients.”
READ: Steve Harvey to host next Miss Universe tilt in PH – DOT
Huang called out Harvey, 60, for his “upsetting” remarks on Asian-American bachelors and single men. “He speaks openly about issues facing the black community, he is a man of God, and he has a huge platform to speak from. Unfortunately, he’s also the type of guy who orders Krug champagne for himself and Cook’s for everyone else,” he said.
He added: “For his own personal profit, he’s willing to perpetuate the emasculation of Asian men regardless of how hypocritical it is. He isn’t the only one doing this in 2017, but as I told myself on New Year’s, I’m not drinking anymore of this Cook’s they’re trying to pour, and neither should you.”
Like Huang, several Asian-American politicians demanded Harvey apologize for his newest rant.
WATCH: Steve Harvey explains Miss Universe crowning Mix-up anew
Harvey drew flak in 2015 for mistakenly announcing Miss Colombia Ariadna Gutierrez as Miss Universe 2015, but returned to the stage to announce Miss Philippines Pia Wurtzbach as the true winner.
Despite his hosting glitch, Harvey will host the 65th Miss Universe tilt at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Jan. 30 (Jan. 29 in the US). Gianna Francesca Catolico