- Joined
- Apr 14, 2011
- Messages
- 20,011
- Points
- 113
Miss Finland loses crown after racism controversy
Finland11 December 2025
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
Domestic
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 Instagram.
“I want to apologise especially to those personally affected by this situation. I will learn from it and grow,” she wrote.
The Miss Suomi organisation’s CEO Sunneva Sjögren confirmed that the title removal followed days of internal discussions. Earlier in the week, the organisation had stated there were no plans to revoke the crown.
“We carefully considered every aspect,” Sjögren said at the press conference. “This decision was heavy but necessary. Miss Suomi represents Finland to the world. Racism contradicts our values.”
Sjögren said the organisation held several private discussions with Dzafce, especially after she returned from the Miss Universe competition in November.
“We are sorry for the pain this has caused, especially to the Asian community. The title is a position of trust and responsibility,” she said.
Sjögren added that the controversy drew attention in Finland and abroad.
“Miss Suomi must be a role model and show respect to all people,” she said. “We wish Sarah all the best in her future. People can learn and grow.”
Dzafce said she was informed of the decision on Thursday morning.
“I now understand my actions were wrong, and I take full responsibility,” she said.
She also announced she would take a break from social media.
“I’ll think ten times before posting anything in future,” she told reporters. “I need time to focus on my wellbeing.”
Tara Lehtonen, 25, expressed surprise at the news.
“I was aware of the controversy but didn’t expect it to escalate like this,” she said.
Lehtonen confirmed that the call asking her to accept the title came unexpectedly. She was at work when the offer arrived.
“I had to pause for a moment to process the question,” she said. “I wasn’t prepared for it.”
She described her own social media use as “neutral” and said she does not believe a similar situation would occur with her.
Lehtonen and Dzafce appeared together at the press event and were seen embracing before the handover. Lehtonen said their relationship remains friendly and they plan to stay in contact.
This is the first time since 2011 that a Miss Suomi title has changed hands during the reigning year. In that case, Pia Lamberg (née Pakarinen) resigned due to dissatisfaction with the organisation. Her title passed to first runner-up Sara Sieppi.
HT
