Kristhielee Caride - Miss Puerto Rico Universe 2016 - was stripped of her crown on Thursday, the beauty pageant's director announced during a press conference.
Caride won the title about four months ago and was going to represent the U.S. territory at the upcoming Miss Universe until the title was taken away from her Thursday afternoon.
"I saw the damage that she was doing and the damage that she was doing to the organization," said Desiree Lowry, director of Miss Puerto Rico Universe.
Lowry is referring to an interview that she did with Caride recently for a Puerto Rican newspaper, during which the 24-year-old showed a dismissive attitude and said that she did not like cameras.
"When I'm listening and she says, 'I don't like the camera,' I say that is a big problem," Lowry said about the interview. "Miss Puerto Rico is a public figure and part of your job is to be in front of the camera."
"I wanted the earth to swallow me," Lowry said. "You always have to put your best face forward ... it's a given that we are going to be in front of cameras and that we have to answer all types of questions."
Lowry noted that Caride did not apologize for her behavior during the interview and citing personal problems, she told officials that it would not happen again. However, she did quite the opposite and cancelled her other appearances and refused to reschedule the press events.
Brenda Jimenez replaced Caride as the new Miss Puerto Rico Universe 2016 during the news conference in San Juan. "I am really excited and extremely anxious. I haven't processed it yet," Jimenez said about her new title.
"It is human to err, also it's the valiant who remember their errors and want to move forward being the example of a real woman, holding the head high before all adversity that happens in life," Caride said in a lengthy Facebook post. "I will always have the memory of that night, November 12, where I won the title and all the experiences and beautiful memories that I have had as Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2016."
