Miss Finland'S Crown Falls: Sarah Dzafce Caught In Social Media Storm

Shockwaves in the Pageant World

Miss Finland's dazzling reign came to a swift end for Sarah Dzafce, who found herself at the center of a social media firestorm. Just weeks after gracing the Miss Universe stage, Dzafce was dethroned following the fallout from a racially charged social media post.

Dzafce, just 22, made headlines when a photo of her pulling the corners of her eyes with the caption “kiinalaisenkaa syömäs,” which means “eating with a Chinese person,” surfaced online in late November. The post, shared on the anonymous German app Jodel, was reportedly altered by a friend without Dzafce's knowledge. She initially claimed that she was merely rubbing her temples due to a "severe headache" when the snapshot was taken.

“The title of Miss Finland held by Sarah Dzafce has been revoked as of today,” declared the Miss Finland organization on Instagram, emphasizing the importance of responsibility in public roles.

Public Outcry and Official Response

The gesture ignited a blaze of criticism, particularly among the Asian community, prompting pageant officials to act decisively. Despite Dzafce's heartfelt apology, explaining that her actions were unintentional, the Miss Finland organization decided to strip her of the crown four months after she won it in September.

Finnartist Oy, the company behind the Miss Finland pageant, underscored the gravity of the situation in a statement. “For over 90 years, this title has represented Finnish values such as respect, equality, responsibility, and human dignity,” they stated. “The events of recent days have caused deep hurt, disappointment, and concern both in Finland and internationally.”

A New Miss Finland Emerges

In the aftermath, Tara Lehtonen stepped into the spotlight as the new Miss Finland. Crowning her during a press conference, where Dzafce was also present, Lehtonen took on the role after previously securing the position of first runner-up in the national competition. However, she will not represent Finland at the next Miss Universe pageant.

Dzafce, meanwhile, expressed her wish to learn and grow from the experience. “I fully understand that my actions have caused ill will in many people and I am deeply sorry for that,” she shared in her Instagram apology. "The Miss Finland title is not just a crown for me, it is also a responsibility."