Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2017 has officially begun!

Director of Miss Puerto Rico Universe organization, Desirée Lowry officially presented the 40 candidates who will participate in the renowned 2017 competition at the shopping mall Plaza Las Américas.

"I am very excited about this edition of Miss Puerto Rico Universe 2017 because we have a group of highly competitive candidates who are committed to the great responsibility of representing our people and our country. Today is the beginning of many enriching experiences for all who are part of MPRU 2017 ", said Desirée Lowry. The candidates have already begun to take their preparation workshops.

Desirée Lowry, the national director of MUPR, is beauty pageant titleholder, fashion model, TV host, radio presenter, event coordinator, and owner of a model agency. She was crowned Miss Puerto Rico 1995 and went on to represent her country at Miss Universe 1995 where she was placed among Top 6.

The 40 candidates of MUPR 2017 are Cristal Molina (Adjuntas), Tayra Soto (Aguadilla), Gretchen Colón (Aibonito), Mariam Saffar (Añasco), Niomi Cora (Arroyo), Pamela Rivera (Barranquitas), Von Marie Santiago (Bayamón), Stephanie Font (Cabo Rojo), Nicole Colón (Caguas), Tanya Romero (Carolina), Patricia Lespier (Cayey), Michelle Rivera (Coamo), Chris Navarro (Corozal), Kimberly Jiménez (Dorado), Génesis Concepción (Fajardo), Rashelle Miranda (Florida), Lilliriel Rivera (Guánica), Natcha Romero (Guayama), Karla Aponte (Guaynabo), Zudelys Lago (Hatillo), Sabrina Brito (Humacao), Francheska Fuentes (Isabela), Gabriela Pérez (Jayuya), Shakira Maldonado (Juana Díaz), Angelica Rodríguez (Las Piedras), Nidlla Mercado (Lajas), Cristal Olavarria (Mayaguez), Michelle Torres (Naranjito), Nishayra Santiago (Orocovis), Charlene Ortiz (Patillas), Layla Velázquez (Peñuelas), Jailene Román (Ponce), Sara Rivera (Rincón), Ivana Irizarry (Rio Grande), Natalie Soto (Salinas), Camille Acosta (San Germán), Danyeshka Hernández (San Juan), Elijah Rodríguez (Santa Isabel), Beverly Rodríguez (Utuado), and Kathleen Torres (Villalba).

The pageant has kicked off with a 'mall tour' and will have more of mall tours as part of the competition. Please refer our pageant information for the schedule for activities.

Brenda Jimenez, the reigning Miss Universe Puerto Rico, will crown her successor at the finals who will then go on to represent Puerto Rico in Miss Universe 2017.

We hope that the pageant this year will have a fresh start after the controversy surrounding Kristhielee Caride, who was initially crowned as Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2016 and then was later dethroned due to bad attitude.

After her dethronement, Brenda Jimenez was crowned as the new Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2016.

Kristhielee Caride was also briefly admitted to Psychiatric Hospital after losing the Miss Puerto Rico 2016 crown and then filed a lawsuit against MUPR organization. The lawsuit was subsequently dismissed by the jury.