ingrid marie rivera

Ingrid Rivera became Puerto Rico's Miss Universe contestant despite someone dousing her gown with pepper spray and spiking her makeup. Beauty pageant organizers are investigating who is responsible for vandalizing Rivera's things.

Rivera was composed in front of judges, but had to apply ice bags to her body once she was able to go back stage. Her skin swelled and she broke out in hives twice. Rivera's bag with her credit cards, makeup and gowns was also stolen.



"We thought at first it was an allergic reaction, or maybe nerves. But the second time, we knew it couldn't have been a coincidence," said pageant spokesperson Harold Rosario.



A bomb threat was also received, causing the last day of the pageant to be cancelled.



Rivera's clothing and makeup later tested positive for pepper spray. Pageant officials say the police are not involved in the investigation and they are conducting it themselves.

ugly side of beauty competition emerged Sunday in Puerto Rico, after a contestant's makeup and evening gowns were laced with pepper spray and caused her to break out in hives.

However, the contestant, Ingrid Marie Rivera, bravely fronted the judges throughout the event and beat 29 rivals to snag the crown. She will represent Puerto Rico next year in the Miss Universe competition.

Rivera was composed while appearing before cameras and judges throughout the competition. As soon as she was off stage, she took off her clothes and put ice on her face and body, which swelled and broke out in hives twice.

"We thought at first it was an allergic reaction, or maybe nerves," pageant spokesman Harold Rosario 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.

The dirty tricks have taken backstage backstabbing at the island's 2008 Miss Universe pageant to a new high, with organizers already starting investigation to find the culprit.

Pageant officials said someone also stole Rivera's bag containing her gowns, makeup and credit cards, and a bomb threat forced pageant officials to postpone the last day of competition on Thursday.