Finland is under scrutiny and facing allegations of racism from various Asian nations following a controversial incident involving its representative at the 2025 Miss Universe pageant. The controversy began when Sarah Dzafce, the reigning Miss Finland, was seen in a photo pulling the corners of her eyes, a gesture considered offensive. Subsequently, Finnish politicians joined in by replicating the same gesture in their own photos.
After the image of Dzafce went viral on social media, depicting her accompanied by a caption that sparked outrage for its racial insensitivity, she was stripped of her Miss Finland title. The caption, which stated “eating with a Chinese,” was condemned by authorities and commentators both in Finland and Asia as discriminatory against Asians.
Dzafce, who had won the Miss Finland crown in September, explained to Finnish media that the photo was taken while she was trying to alleviate a headache. She claimed that a friend shared the private image and added the controversial caption without her consent. Despite being reached out to by The Associated Press, Dzafce did not respond to requests for comment.
On December 8, Dzafce issued a public apology on social media, stating that she never intended to cause harm. She emphasized that holding the Miss Finland title was not just an honor but also a responsibility that she takes seriously. The apology was written in Finnish, expressing her regret and commitment to learning from the incident.
Far-right politicians mimic the gesture
Following the controversy, the Miss Finland Organization took action by revoking Dzafce’s title of Miss Finland 2025, known as Miss Suomi in Finnish. The organization expressed deep regret for the situation, acknowledging the hurt caused to various communities, particularly Asians. They emphasized that racism in any form is unacceptable.
As the controversy escalated, several far-right Finnish politicians came to Dzafce’s defense by posting their own photos imitating the gesture that sparked the initial outrage. These actions further fueled the public outcry and condemnation of the behavior.
