Controversy Surrounds Puerto Rico's Miss Universe Contestant

By Michael Lopez

Just when you thought we were out of beauty pageant stories, here comes more chisme from a soon-to-be Miss Universe contestant. According to reports, there are some heated debates going on right now about whether or not the current Miss Puerto Rico is qualified to wear the crown.

Apparently Bodine Koehler Peña may have won her pageant under false pretenses. Though she had grown up in San Juan since childhood, it was recently discovered that she was born in the Netherlands and that neither of her parents are of Puerto Rican heritage.

Things got so heated, Bodine had to hold a press conference to address the issue.

"Yo soy de aquí, soy puertorriqueña,” she stated. “Yo he crecido y he evolucionado como ser humano aquí y estoy bien orgullosa de ahora tener la oportunidad de poder representar a Puerto Rico y de traer la próxima corona."

Technically, Koehler Peña has a pretty solid case. Pageant officials insist they knew of her background before she entered the contest. Furthermore, their rules specify that a competitor only be a citizen of Puerto Rico vs. having actually been born on the island.

But that hasn't pleased all of the fans. We're still a little baffled by it all, especially after seeing Bodine's swimsuit picture! She's absolutely gorgeous and has as good of a shot as any Miss of taking down the Universe crown.

Do you think Miss Puerto Rico is a fraud? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Beauty Pageants, Bodine Koehler Peña, Chisme, Miss Puerto Rico, Miss Universe, popnews, Puerto Rico