Miss Finland 2025 dethroned over viral anti-Chinese eye-slanting gesture in racist photo scandal

By Maitreyee Thakkar, Global Desk
Dec 13, 2025, 12:31:00 PM IST

Sarah Dzafce, crowned Miss Finland in September 2025, lost her title on December 12 after organizers cited a photo showing a gesture widely viewed as mocking Asian features. The image, posted on the Jodel platform, depicted her pulling her eyes slanted with fingers alongside Finnish text "kiinalaisenkaa syömäs," roughly translating to "eating with a Chinese person," sparking immediate social media backlash.

At a Helsinki press conference, the Miss Finland Organisation announced the decision, emphasizing zero tolerance for racism or discrimination.

Organizers' response and replacement
The organisation stated the content was "offensive, harmful, and completely against" competition values of respect, equality, and human dignity, apologizing especially to the Asian community.
Tara Lehtonen, the runner-up from Helsinki, was swiftly named the new Miss Finland, pledging on social media to uphold the title with "pride and deep respect." Dzafce initially claimed the gesture stemmed from massaging temples due to a severe headache but later apologized, acknowledging harm caused, particularly to those affected
FAQs
What exactly was the controversial gesture?
The photo showed Dzafce using fingers to slant her eyes, paired with text referencing dining with a Chinese person – a caricature long criticized as anti-Asian racism.

Did Dzafce deny racism initially?
Yes, she first explained it as headache relief by rubbing temples and widening eyes, but later issued a full apology recognizing the offense.
How quick was the title revocation?
Crowned in September, stripped after three months; Lehtonen assumed duties immediately, highlighting the organisation's firm anti-discrimination policy

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