Kristhielee Caride

Kristhielee competed in the Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2014 pageant representing the municipality of Dorado[2] where she earned a placement as one of the Top 16 finalist. Caride later competed in Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2016 representing the municipality of Isabela where she won the pageant.[3]

On 17 March 2016, Desiree Lowry announced on national television that Caride had been stripped of her title after a controversial interview between Caride and Venezuelan entertainment reporter Patricia Vargas. According to the Miss Universe Puerto Rico Organization, the reason of her dismissal was that she was both rude and arrogant to a journalist during a televised interview, refusing to participate on camera.

Caride later wrote a public letter apologizing to the journalist and explained to the organization she had been going through personal problems and was having a difficult day. Shortly afterwards, Lowry and the organization's franchise owner Luisito Vigoreaux issued a press release claiming that because Caride was not fulfilling her contractual obligations as Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2016 by missing multiple public appearances she would be replaced by Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2016 1st Runner-Up Brenda Jiménez.[4]

On 6 May 2016, tribunal court judge allowed the case to move forward, but did not immediately reinstate the crown to Caride. On 7 July 2016, various Puerto Rican mainstream outlets uncovered a urinalysis report of alleged illegal Cannabis use by Caride. These reports were consequently denied as inadmissible by tribunal Bayamon judge Francisco Rebollo Casalduc on 9 July 2016.[5] Accordingly, Caride's legal representative stated via Twitter that any release of Caride's medical records without her consent is illegally violating Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act privacy laws.[6][7]

A secondary publicly televised hearing took place on 21 July 2016, with the submission of evidences from each party, which bore no resolution. A third court hearing was scheduled for 15–19 August 2016 with extended deliberations. Between July and September 2016, the presiding judge ruled that all awards associated with her title, including minimal training provided by the Miss Universe Puerto Rico Organization, would be granted to Caride until such a time that a final ruling was made.

On 13 September 2016, the Puerto Rican court announced its decision ruling against Caride and her claim to the crown and title. Her crown and title were forfeited and awarded to first runner up Brenda Jiménez of Aguadilla to represent at Miss Universe 2016.