Beauty queen Ingrid Marie Rivera beat 29 rivals, all beautiful in appearance, to become Puerto Rico’s 2008 Miss Universe contestant, but this writer believes she deserves another crown for sheer stoicism. Those chicas are serious about their tiara collecting down there!
Rivera was composed while appearing before cameras and judges throughout the competition. But once backstage, she had to strip off her clothes and apply ice bags to her face and body, which swelled and broke out in hives twice.” We thought at first it was an allergic reaction, or maybe nerves, "Riviera said. ”But the second time, we knew it couldn’t have been a coincidence.”
Rivera’s clothing and makeup later tested positive for pepper spray. Yes, the very same stuff which often makes grown men cry, all over her body, and on her eyes, in her eye make-up! In another “prank”, someone also stole Rivera’s bag containing her gowns, makeup and credit cards. A bomb threat forced pageant officials to postpone the last day of competition on Thursday, said Magali Febles, director of the Miss Puerto Rico Universe pageant, who obviously views bomb threats as “pranks” as well, since pageant organizers hope to catch and expose the responsible party or parties without police involvement. Obviously their idea of “pranks” varies widely from our own.
Beauty competitions in the U.S. Caribbean territory — which boasts five Miss Universe titles, second only to the U.S. — are fierce, drawing boisterous audiences and accusations of rigged results, making it sound a bit like ‘Merican Big Time Wrestlin’ Even so, these “pranks” are said to be a first. Riviera, who won Miss World Caribbean in 2005, has been the center of controversy from the start. Rivals complained she was too experienced and should be disqualified.
Local media may unwittingly have contributed to her misfortunes, touting her as the likely winner, and causing jealousy among contestants. When she won, she was accused of buying the crown, reported Puerto Rico’s El Nuevo Dia newspaper.
At a news conference Sunday, Rivera was at last able to unleash the tears, recounting her ordeal, and acknowledging she’d wavered about staying in the contest. “At one point I said. “Am I a masochist?” she recalled, her voice breaking, “but I said, “I am with God and this is my goal, regardless of the results.” Whatever she chooses to do in her life, I have a feeling little can stop her!
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Ingrid MarieRivera, Miss Universe (AP)