Sarah Dzafce, crowned Miss Finland in September and the country’s delegate to the 2025 Miss Universe pageant in Thailand, sparked accusations of racism in Asia, The Associated Press reported.
The controversy began when an image circulated online showing her pulling the corners of her eyes. The photo, which appeared on social media with a caption referencing «eating with a Chinese,» quickly went viral, first prompting criticism in Finland and then spreading abroad.
Dzafce apologized and denied racist intent, telling Finnish media the gesture was due to a headache. She said the photo was shared privately without her consent and someone else added the caption.
Following the spread of the photo and rising criticism, the Miss Finland Organization announced it had taken away Dzafce’s Miss Finland 2025 title. The group stated the incident caused harm and concern, both in Finland and internationally. In a statement, it apologized and emphasized that racism and discrimination are not acceptable.
The controversy intensified afterward when some far-right Finnish lawmakers defended Dzafce and posted photos of themselves making the same gesture.
As the issue gained international attention, Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo responded by formally apologizing through statements from Finnish embassies to several countries, including Japan and South Korea. Orpo emphasized that the posts did not reflect Finland’s values, reaffirming the government’s strong stance against racism.
