The already heated race for the title of Miss Puerto Rico grew unexpectedly hotter this year.
Ingrid Marie Rivera, who by winning the crown Friday also qualified to represent her homeland in next year's Miss Universe pageant, managed a big beauty-queen smile despite her dress and makeup apparently being awash in pepper spray.
"We thought at first it was an allergic reaction or maybe nerves," pageant spokesman Harold Rosario said afterward. "But the second time, we knew it couldn't have been a coincidence."
Although pageant officials originally said they were going to look into the matter themselves, local police have been called in to investigate the apparent sabotage, which organizers have called a "vile act" pulled off "from inside," as well as an alleged bomb threat called in on Thursday. Pageant reps also said one of Rivera's bags containing clothes and credit cards was swiped during the event's swimsuit competition.
"I am going to investigate this until the final consequences," said Magali Febles, director of the Miss Puerto Rico Universe Pageant. "When we have everything, I will announce who the person is, because someone with these instincts is capable of anything."
During the competition and after she was declared the winner, Rivera's face and body had to be iced down backstage to soothe the rash caused by her tainted wardrobe.
"It was a lot of sacrifice, and my tears were genuine," the 24-year-old said during a news conference in San Juan, admitting she almost didn't make it through Friday's final. "It was a feeling of liberation, of, 'God, this was worth it.'
"At one point, I asked, Am I a masochist? But I said, regardless of the results, this is my goal. The more rocks there are in my path, the more thanks I will give to God for sustaining me."
Rivera was already the target of controversy heading into the competition. Having already won the Miss World Caribbean crown in 2005, some of her opponents protested she was too experienced for this event—and then, when she won, they suggested the pageant was rigged, the newspaper El Nuevo Día reported.
Five Miss Universe winners have hailed from Puerto Rico, making the race to represent the U.S. territory a closely watched event.
"I know there's some rivalry between the contestants, but never to that extent," police superintendent Pedro A. Toledo said. "Nothing can justify poisoning the dress or the cosmetic kit."
Police have also said, however, they're looking into how Rivera managed to remain in top form throughout the night while she was purportedly suffering from the effects of the pepper spray.
As for Miss Puerto Rico, she's looking forward to the big show in 2008, regardless of what her rivals have to say.
“My conscience is clear," Rivera said. “If there was a fix, let them prove it, because those who are with God are not scared.
“They say my victory comes from my experience, but I know if one wants something, one has to prepare, because things just don't fall from the sky. They can't penalize me for being ambitious and wanting to represent a new Puerto Rico."