Sarah Dzafce, who represented Finland at this year’s Miss Universe pageant, has been stripped of her national title following the circulation of an alleged racist social media post.
Sarah Dzafce, former Miss Universe Finland 2025. Photo from Dzafce’s Instagram |
According to People magazine, the Miss Finland Organization announced the decision on Dec. 11 in a statement posted on its official Instagram account.
“The title of Miss Universe Finland held by Sarah Dzafce has been revoked as of today,” the organization wrote. “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.”
Hello! magazine reported that the decision followed the viral spread of a photograph posted in late November showing the 22-year-old beauty queen pulling the corners of her eyes in a racially offensive gesture. The image was accompanied by the Finnish caption “kiinalaisenkaa syömäs,” loosely translated as “eating with a Chinese person.”
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” at the time and was rubbing her temples when the image was taken.
Before the official revocation of her crown, Dzafce issued a public apology in a joint post with the Miss Finland Organization on Dec. 8, acknowledging the harm caused by her actions.
“I fully understand that my actions have caused ill will in many people and I am deeply sorry for that,” she wrote. “I want to apologize especially to those who have been personally affected by this situation. That was not my intention in any way.”
Dzafce said she recognized the responsibilities that came with holding the Miss Universe Finland title, including how her words and actions could affect others. She added that respect for people of all backgrounds and differences was a core value she intended to uphold, admitting that she still had “a lot to grow.”
Dzafce represented Finland at the Miss Universe pageant in Thailand last month, where the final night was held on Nov. 21 and the crown went to Mexico’s Fatima Bosch.
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