Miss Finland's 'Slanted-Eyes' Photo Sparks International Backlash and Racism Debate

Thu Dec 18 2025 09:36:18 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Sarah Dzafce, crowned Miss Finland, faces severe backlash after posting a photo with a racially insensitive gesture, leading to her dethronement and a national conversation about racism.

Sarah Dzafce, the recently dethroned Miss Finland, caused outrage with a viral photo in which she made a racially insensitive gesture towards East Asians. Despite claiming it was an innocent miscommunication, her actions have drawn widespread criticism and led to calls for accountability. Finland's Prime Minister condemned the gesture as 'thoughtless and stupid', while Dzafce's responses have faced skepticism. The controversy has repercussions for Finland's international reputation and ignited conversations about racism in society.

In a recent incident that has ignited a firestorm of controversy, Sarah Dzafce, Finland's representative at the Miss Universe pageant, became the center of international backlash after she posted a photo mimicking a slanted-eye gesture while captioning it 'eating with a Chinese'. The action, perceived by many as racially insensitive, particularly towards East Asians, has led to her being stripped of her title.

The fallout from this post has been significant, with criticism not only from the Asian community but also from across Japan, South Korea, and China. Dzafce's actions drew widespread condemnation, including from Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, who labeled the gesture 'thoughtless and stupid'. He stated that the controversy caused by Dzafce was 'damaging' to Finland’s reputation.

In her defense, Dzafce claimed the gesture stemmed from a reaction to a headache, and asserted that a friend added the caption without her consent. However, her public apology has been met with skepticism, as many perceived it to be insincere, given it was communicated in Finnish.

Right-wing politicians in Finland further complicated the situation by mimicking her gesture in a show of support, prompting their own backlash, with the Prime Minister condemning their actions as 'childish'. The incident has sparked discourse on racism within Finnish society, leading the Finnish embassy in Japan to acknowledge ongoing challenges related to discrimination.

As the controversy unfolds, travel companies, including Finnair, have responded to the backlash, emphasizing their commitment to diversity and respect for all individuals. Meanwhile, a petition initiated by a resident of Japan, seeking an investigation into anti-Asian discrimination in Finland, has gained traction.

The Miss Finland Organization noted that their decision to dethrone Dzafce was 'difficult but necessary', underlining the importance of role models upholding respect for all individuals. Overall, this incident not only highlights the sensitivities surrounding racial representation but also reflects the broader societal need to engage thoughtfully on issues of race and respect.

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