First Miss USA Rachel Smith slipped and fell during the Miss Universe evening gown competition. Then she was booed by hundreds in the Mexico City audience.
The treatment of the Tennessee beauty queen was nothing personal. It had more to do with Mexico's sometimes tense relationship with its powerful northern neighbor.
Smith was booed repeatedly during her stay in Mexico.
She kept her poise during an interview Monday night with pageant judges, despite the boos and chants of "Mexico! Mexico!" that drowned out her answer.
"I am very passionate about education and being in South Africa sparked my interest in that," said Smith, a journalism graduate.
Then she paused, smiled and spoke in Spanish. "Buenas noches Mexico. Muchas gracias!" which earned her some applause and some chuckles.
Miss Japan Riyo Mori, who went on to win the crown, opened her interview with "Hola Mexico!" to cheers.