Beauty pageant organisers were investigating on Sunday who doused a contestant’s evening gowns with pepper spray and spiked her make-up, causing her to break out in hives. Beauty queen Ingrid Marie Rivera beat 29 rivals to become the island’s 2008 Miss Universe contestant, despite applying make-up and wearing evening gowns that had been coated with pepper spray, pageant spokesman Harold Rosario said.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,” Rosario said. “But the second time, we knew it couldn’t have been a coincidence.” Rivera’s clothing and make-up later tested positive for pepper spray.Someone also stole Rivera’s bag containing her gowns, make-up and credit cards. And 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.Pageant organisers said the hoped to catch and expose whoever was responsible for the pranks. They said, however, they were handling the investigation themselves and police are not involved.Beauty competitions in the US Caribbean territory — which boasts five Miss Universe titles, second only to the US — are fierce, drawing boisterous audiences and accusations of rigged results. But the pranks under investigation this year are a first, Rosario said.
