Helsinki: In an unprecedented move that has reverberated well beyond Finland, Miss Finland 2025, Sarah Dzafce, has been dethroned and stripped of her crown following widespread outrage over a social media post deemed racially offensive. The Miss Finland Organisation announced the revocation of her title on 12 December 2025, after a widely shared image sparked national and international condemnation for its derogatory implications towards Asian people.
Dzafce, who was crowned in September 2025 and went on to represent Finland at the Miss Universe 2025 pageant in Thailand, found herself at the centre of a controversy when a photograph she had posted on the social media platform Jodel circulated online. The image showed her using her fingers to pull the corners of her eyes into a slanted shape — a gesture widely interpreted as mocking East Asian facial features. Accompanying the picture was a Finnish caption that translates roughly to “eating with a Chinese person,” a phrase that intensified the outrage.
Miss Finland Apologises
Before the organisation formally revoked her title, Dzafce, in coordination with the Miss Finland Organisation, issued a public apology on Instagram on Monday, December 8, acknowledging that her actions had caused hurt and offence.
“I fully understand that my actions have caused ill will in many people, and I am deeply sorry for that,” she wrote. “I want to apologise especially to those who have been personally affected by this situation. That was not my intention in any way.” She also spoke about the weight of holding the Miss Finland title and the responsibility that comes with it.
“I know that I still have a lot to grow. One of the most important things for me is respect for people, their backgrounds and differences,” Dzafce added. “What matters to me is that everyone can be themselves and be treated with dignity.”
Backlash and Official Response
The post quickly drew criticism from social media users, advocacy groups and commentators who denounced it as racist and hurtful. Screenshots of the image spread rapidly, with many viewers calling for accountability given Dzafce’s position as a national and international representative of Finland.
Initially, Dzafce attempted to explain the image, saying in a preliminary statement that she was merely rubbing her temples due to a headache and that the gesture was misinterpreted. However, that explanation did little to quell the backlash. In response to mounting pressure, she issued a more formal apology on 8 December, acknowledging that her actions had caused offense and expressing regret to those affected.
Despite the apology, the Miss Finland Organisation made clear that racism and discriminatory behaviour are incompatible with the values of the pageant. In a statement shared on its official Instagram account, the organisation described the decision to revoke Dzafce’s title as “difficult but necessary,” emphasising that the role of Miss Finland carries responsibilities that extend beyond personal behaviour to represent respect, equality and integrity.
“The title of Miss Finland held by Sarah Dzafce has been revoked as of today. This decision is not about a person’s human worth, but about responsibility. When an individual carries a national and international representative role, actions and responsibility are inseparable,” read the statement by the organisation.
Title Revocation and New Miss Finland
Following the decision, the organisation confirmed that first runner-up Tara Lehtonen has been crowned the new Miss Finland 2025. Lehtonen, who hails from Helsinki, took to social media to express her appreciation and commitment to carrying the title “with pride and deep respect,” acknowledging the unusual circumstances under which she assumed the crown.
Lehtonen’s elevation to the role highlights the pageant’s swift move to reinforce its values after the controversy. The organisation also publicly apologised for the distress caused by the incident, particularly to the Asian community and others affected by the offensive content.
Broader Reactions and Social Impact
Public reaction to the dethronement has been mixed, but many commentators have supported the organisation’s zero-tolerance stance on racism. Some critics noted that the gesture — historically used to demean people of East Asian descent — carries long-standing offensive connotations that cannot be dismissed as unintentional or humorous.
Responses on forums and social media platforms reflect a range of opinions, with some users arguing that public figures must exercise greater cultural sensitivity, while others have expressed frustration over what they see as an overreaction. Discussion around the incident has also sparked broader conversations about anti-Asian prejudice and the responsibilities of titleholders who serve as national representatives.
Notably, some voices have urged deeper reflection on subtle and systemic forms of racial bias, insisting that gestures or jokes that might once have been dismissed as harmless can in fact perpetuate harmful stereotypes when shared by influential personalities.
With Tara Lehtonen now carrying the mantle of Miss Finland, the organisation has signalled its commitment to upholding inclusivity, respect and dignity as core values — a clear message to future titleholders and to global audiences watching the aftermath of this controversy.
