In an interview with The Associated Press at a Los Angeles hotel, the fifth Puerto Rican Miss Universe spoke about politics in her native Caribbean territory, her love for the Spanish language, what caused her to faint shortly after the pageant, and rumors -- all false, she says -- about past cosmetic surgery.

She was given liquids and quickly recovered.The faint, she explained, was caused by the heat, the lights and the emotional rush of learning she was Miss Universe -- not a lack of food, as some have speculated.

The 18-year-old describes herself as a "boricua'' -- slang for Puerto Rican -- who does not favor statehood or independence for her Caribbean island home, which has been a U.S. Commonwealth since 1952.

"I don't go for either stance,'' said Rivera, who nonetheless defends Puerto Rico's separate status from the U.S. in the Miss Universe competition.

A communications student and aspiring actress, Rivera has been studying English for seven months. She spoke entirely in Spanish at the Miss Universe ceremony, and during this interview.

Her first planned stop after winning the Universe Crown: Japan. Then it's off to Indonesia and South Africa, visits that should be confirmed before September, a representative said.

This is cache, read story here