Miss Finland stripped of crown after viral post sparks anti-Asian backlash

Finland’s Miss Universe candidate has been stripped of her national title after a social media post featuring a slanted-eyes gesture and an offensive caption triggered international backlash.

Sarah Dzafce, 22, shared the photo during last month’s Miss Universe pageant in Thailand, prompting outrage across East Asia and criticism at home.

The image, which many viewed as mocking East Asians, spread rapidly online and drew condemnation from Japan, South Korea and China. Finland’s Prime Minister Petteri Orpo described the gesture as “thoughtless and stupid,” warning it had caused reputational harm to the country.

Dzafce said the pose was taken while reacting to a headache and claimed a friend added the caption without her permission. She issued a public apology, saying she never intended to offend, but critics labelled it inadequate.

The controversy widened after two Finnish MPs posted similar gestures in support of Dzafce, before deleting them and apologising. Finland’s flag carrier Finnair acknowledged the fallout, while petitions and diplomatic complaints underscored the incident’s international impact.

Politicians and others in Finland have taken to making rac!st faces to mock Asians.

Sarah Dzafce Miss Finland 2025, made the hateful gesture, as a result, she was stripped of her Miss Finland crown.

Several Finnish politicians posted or shared similar photos including Juho… pic.twitter.com/QoW6BX6Vro

— Jason Smith – 上官杰文 (@ShangguanJiewen) December 15, 2025