Kristhielee Caride Stripped Of Her Miss Universe Puerto Rico Crown

Kristhielee Caride, Miss Puerto Rico Universe 2016, was deprived of her crown on Thursday, according to the beauty pageant's director.

Having won her crown four months ago, Caride was all set to represent the U.S. territory at the coming Miss Universe contest, but she was deprived of the title.

"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.

At an interview taken with Caride recently for a Puerto Rican daily, Lowry explained that the 24-year-old tended to be dismissive about the beauty pageant, explaining 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. "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."

Another thing that struck Lowry was that far from apologising, Caride did, at least, tell the officials that it would not happen again. Still, she did not do as she promised, and instead, struck off other appearances, refusing to reschedule press events.

"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."

Brenda Jimenez was the replacement for Caride as the new Miss Puerto Rico Universe 2016, announced at a news conference in San Juan. "I am really excited and extremely anxious. I haven't processed it yet," Jimenez replied to questions.