BEIJING, Nov. 26 (Xinhuanet) -- An 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 M...

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