Miss Finland titleholder Sarah Dzafce has been stripped of her crown, just weeks after appearing at the Miss Universe pageant, due to a racially offensive social media post.
Dzafce, 22, was photographed pulling the corners of her eyes in a post shared in late November. The image included the caption “kiinalaisenkaa syömäs,” which loosely translates to “eating with a Chinese person.”
According to the Helsinki Times, the photo was later circulated on the anonymous German app Jodel by a friend who allegedly added the caption without Dzafce’s consent. Dzafce initially said she had been experiencing a “severe headache” and was rubbing her temples at the time the image was taken.
Despite that explanation, the gesture sparked widespread criticism, particularly from members of the Asian community. Dzafce, who had been crowned Miss Finland in September, was ultimately removed from her role roughly four months later.
“The title of Miss Finland held by Sarah Dzafce has been revoked as of today,” the Miss Finland organization announced in an Instagram post on Thursday.
“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.”
Pageant officials noted that they waited until Dzafce returned to Finland from international travel following the Miss Universe competition before formally revoking her title.
“For over 90 years, this title has represented Finnish values such as respect, equality, responsibility, and human dignity,” Finnartist Oy, the company that owns the Miss Finland pageant, said in a statement. “These values are not mere words to us — they are the foundation of our entire work. The Miss Finland title is a position of trust, representing Finland and Finnish people to the world.
“The events of recent days have caused deep hurt, disappointment, and concern both in Finland and internationally — fully understandably. The content published on the reigning Miss Finland’s social media has been offensive, harmful, and completely against the values of the Miss Finland competition.
“We are deeply sorry for the harm these events have caused. Especially to the Asian community, but also to everyone affected. Racism is never acceptable in any form,” the statement continued.
Dzafce competed in this year’s Miss Universe pageant but did not advance to the Top 30. Earlier this week, she addressed the controversy in an apology posted to her personal Instagram account, just days before the decision to strip her of the crown.
“I fully understand that my actions have caused ill will in many people and I am deeply sorry for that,” Dzafce wrote. “I want to apologize, especially to those who have been personally affected by this situation. That was not my intention in any way."
“The Miss Finland title is not just a crown for me, it is also a responsibility. I am responsible for how I speak, how I act, and how my actions can affect people. I know I still have a lot to grow,” she continued. “I take responsibility for my actions and learn from them moving forward.”
Before losing her title, Dzafce said she hoped to use the experience as an opportunity for self-improvement and to make better choices going forward as Miss Finland.
Following her removal, Tara Lehtonen, 25, was named Miss Finland (Miss Suomi 2025) during a press conference on Thursday where Dzafce was also present. Lehtonen had placed as the first runner-up in the national competition but will not represent Finland at the next Miss Universe pageant.