CEO of the Miss Finland competition Sunneva Sjögren (centre), new Miss Finland and former first runner-up Tara Lehtonen (left), and former titleholder Sarah Dzafce, who gave up the Miss Finland title, at the Miss Finland organisation’s press conference regarding the Miss Finland 2025 situation and related follow-up measures in Helsinki on 11 December 2025. Photo: Emmi Korhonen / Lehtikuva
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Sarah Dzafce has lost her Miss Finland title three months after winning the 2025 competition.
The decision followed public criticism of a photo shared on social media in late November. In the image, Dzafce is seen pulling the corners of her eyes in a manner widely interpreted as mocking East Asian features. The image also featured the caption “Kiinalaisen kaa syömäs” (“eating with a Chinese”).
The Miss Suomi organisation confirmed the decision at a press conference in Helsinki on Thursday.
The title was transferred to first runner-up Tara Lehtonen, who was crowned during the same event.
“I want to start by offering my deepest apologies to everyone I have hurt, especially the Asian community,” Dzafce said at the press event.
She added that the decision had been made together with the organisation and wished Lehtonen well.
“I hope this action shows how seriously we take the situation. Racism is never acceptable,” she said.
Miss Suomi Sarah Dzafce lost her crown because of this photo that spread on social media.
Image: Screenshot from a Jodel post
The image was initially shared by Dzafce’s friend, not Dzafce herself, on a private group. Dzafce explained to Ilta-Sanomat the gesture as a reaction to a headache and pressure in her eyes during a dinner. She claimed the friend added the caption without her input.
Criticism intensified after Dzafce posted a video from a Finnair business class flight. In the video, she commented, “Jengi heittaa meanwhile mä Finnairin business luokas” (“people throw hate while I’m in Finnair business class”). Viewers interpreted the post as dismissive and arrogant. The video has since been removed.
On Monday, Dzafce issued a public apology via
Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
