Kristhielee Caride wins Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2016

Kristhielee Caride was crowned the winner of Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2016 at the end of the national pageant last night. She represented the province of Isabela and bested 44 other contestants to claim the title. She will now represent her Puerto Rico at Miss Universe 2016 contest.
The grand finale took place at the Centro de Bellas Artes de San Juan. Kristhielee Caride also won Best Body sub award at the pageant. She was crowned by the outgoing queen Catalina Morales, Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2015, who will compete in Miss Universe 2015 later in December in Las Vegas.

At the same event, Brenda Azaria Jiménez Hernández from Aguadilla was adjudged as 1st runner-up who will represent Puerto Rico in Miss Intercontinental 2016. Heilymar Rosario Velázquez from San Juan was adjudged as 2nd runner-up where as Laihany Pontón Ortíz from Bayamon was adjudged as 3rd runner-up, Yamilette Rivera Ledee from Guayama was adjudged as 4th runner-up and  Stephanie Román De León from Dorado was crowned as 5th runner-up. 

Special Awards

Bloom Beauty Award:  Aibonito – Adriana Cuesta

Bakers Best Legs Award: Guayama – Yamilette Rivera

Miss Degree Award: Guayama – Yamilette Rivera

Sears Best Catwalk Award:  Bayamón – Laihany Pontón

Best Body Award: Isabela – Kristhielee Caride

Best National Costume: San Juan - Heilymar Rosario Velásquez

Miss Photogenic: Bayamon - Laihany Pontón Ortíz

Puerto Rico is a Miss Universe Power House; it has five Miss Universe crowns under it’s belt, alongside various runner-up crowns.  Zuleyka Rivera was the last Puerto Rican to wear the Miss Universe crown in 2006 in Las Vegas, United States of America.  Marisol Malaret Contreras was the first one in 1970.  Deborah Carthy-Deu won Miss Universe title in 1985.  Dayanara Torres won Miss Universe title in 1993.  Denise Quiñones won the Miss Universe title in 2001 in Puerto Rico.  In fact, The first  Edition to be hosted outside US was in Puerto Rico in 1972. Puerto Rico alongside Mexico are the only two countries to host the Miss Universe pageant multiple times!  The Only edition of Miss USA to be held outside the United States was in Puerto Rico in 1972.

 Source: TPGC