Miss Puerto Rico Universe 2008

Here is a list of the official 30 contestants.

Conflict between the candidates and Pageant officials began when it was revealed that Ingrid Marie Rivera would be a candidate at this year's pageant. Prior to the Miss Puerto Rico Universe competition, Rivera had participated in several major beauty pageants. In 2005 she won the title of Miss Mundo de Puerto Rico (Miss Puerto Rico World) following her win she competed at the Miss World pageant placing 2nd runner-up and obtained the title of Miss Caribbean World. In 2003, she also held the title of Miss Global Queen. Rivera was also a judge at last year's Miss Puerto Rico Universe pageant won by Uma Blasini. Candidates were concerned about Rivera, they felt as if she should not be allowed to compete and feared that Rivera's previous pageant experience would favor her in the competition and help her win the pageant.

At first police said tests showed no traces of capsicum, the pepper spray's active ingredient, disproving the alleged sabotage of Rivera's clothing during the competition. Police are now investigating and questioning if the alleged sabotage against Rivera is a true story or a publicity stunt. Rivera, pageant officials, and even Magali Febles who is the owner of the Miss Puerto Rico Universe organization could possibly be submitted to a lie detector test. The investigation continued for the next couple of weeks. None of the participants have publicly admitted seeing Rivera with any type of reaction during the competition nor seeing anyone with a suspicious behavior that could lead to a suspect. The delegates from the towns of Santurce, Guaynabo, Bayamón, Salinas, Fajardo and Utuado appeared on national television, on shows like "The Tyra Banks Show" and "The Today Show" saying they were skeptical about the veracity of this incident since none of them knew anything about it until days after the pageant was over. After a few weeks during the investigation, a swimsuit and a second gown were tested, and pepper spray was found.

• Ingrid Rivera (Miss Dorado) previously held the title of Miss World Puerto Rico. Ingrid also placed 2nd Runner-up at the Miss World 2005 pageant where she obtained the title of Miss Caribbean.
• Maribel Montalvo (Miss Utuado) later placed 2nd Runner-up at the Miss World Puerto Rico 2008 pageant.
• Melissa Marty (Miss Caguas) later became Nuestra Belleza Latina 2008.
• Kristina Ruisánchez (Miss Trujillo Alto) later became Miss Puerto Rico Continente Americano 2008 and placed 1st Runner-up at the Miss Continente Americano 2008 pageant.

• Interviews in the miss universe 2008