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

https://www.google.com/amp/s/m.economictime...w/125945910.cms

Many Asians will feel that
Owaii

This post has been edited by keyibukeyi: Dec 13 2025, 03:54 PM

Racist amoi. Zhut ur nenen then u know not to be racist!

This post has been edited by Ukeke: Dec 13 2025, 03:59 PM

that's funny!

wimmenz

Kesian

In this case, they should cancel Jim Carrey too for his Grinch impressions.

Don't be go glass hearted la.
You can ignore it.

Dzaface sound very Finnish. Rite.

Kosovo and Albanian heritage.....

Patutlah

Now I know Fins hate me.

She did it as a reigning Miss Finland. So that organization distanced itself from her act. She shud hav waited until the next beauty queen is crowned.

LMFAO!

Cina dont care

Most likely woke white people offended by this

She forgets Finn's are Uralic descendants of Siberian from Yakutsk region

Miss France 1985 more interesting.

From Most Beautiful become Most Ugliest. It's not about racist but the plastic surgery. LoL.

nope, they think aryan masterace is more likely

Finns are non- Aryan tho

well, many non related races think they are aryan

Me cina no rasa pe2 pun.

Been called sepet la kafir la dan mcm2, idup lagi, tak mati pun ... Cukur

sains say they are not..

many Finns also got sepet eyes, so not sure what the deal with this stupid woman.

Likely non-native Finn and migrant, deswai she's so clueless

Zhut not enough to prove your power, give her your 2”

she is from kosovo / albania descent

Yalah headache..racist bitch.