Ingrid Marie Rivera - Participation in International Beauty Pageants

Participation in International Beauty Pageants

Rivera has participated in several beauty pageants. In 2003 she won Miss Global Queen, two years later she won Miss Mundo de Puerto Rico, placing 2nd runner-up at Miss World 2005 and winning the Continental Queen of the Caribbean title. Rivera was later crowned Miss Puerto Rico Universe 2008, and competed at the Miss Universe 2008 pageant held in Nha Trang, Vietnam, where she did not place, although a heavy favourite.

On November 23, 2007, Rivera represented Dorado, Puerto Rico in the final event of Miss Puerto Rico Universe 2008. Rivera advanced to the five semifinalist phase, along participants representing Isabela, Utuado, Trujillo Alto and Santurce. As part of a "final question" segment she was asked "With what social labor do you identify yourself and why?" to which she responded that she supported women that are victims of domestic abuse. Rivera advanced to the final two semifinalist spots along Santurce, and was selected the contest winner by a jury. Rivera and Puerto Rico's delegation were offered $25,000 in economic support for their preparation prior to Miss Universe 2008. In this pageant Rivera would wear dresses created by numerous designers including Carlos Alberto, René Cruz, Nathalia López, Chegüi Lacén, José Raúl, Antonio Da Silva, José Braulio, José Karlo, Ivanyo, Verona, Casanova, Machito, Pipo Pere, Adam Hernández, Valentino Zeliachi and Ángel Guzmán, with most of the pieces exhibiting brilliant colors representative of the tropical climate found in the Caribbean. On July 8, 2008, Rivera participated in Miss Universe's preliminary pageant, in the swimsuit and gala competitions, where she wore a dress compossed of several golden metal rings. This stage also included an interview with the jury. Following the conclusion the preliminary stage, Rivera's parents joined her in Vietnam. Rivera did not avance to the semifinals, which caused surprise among the local media as well as her family. Subsecuently, she expressed satisfaction with her performance, although she also expressed disbelief for her elimination in the final stages of competition. Rivera returned to Puerto Rico on July 26, 2008. She subsequently noted that several work proposals had been presented to her, which were under consideration. Rivera will assist to Televisa auditions in November 2008, and will move to either the United States or Mexico depending on the result.