A single photo can ignite a global firestorm, and that’s exactly what happened when Miss Finland’s controversial 'slanted-eyes' gesture went viral, sparking accusations of racism and cultural insensitivity. But here’s where it gets even more complicated: the fallout didn’t just target the beauty queen herself—it rippled across her home country, its national airline, and even its political landscape. Let’s break it down.
Last month, Sarah Dzafce, Finland’s representative at the Miss Universe pageant in Thailand, posted a photo on social media showing her pulling the corners of her eyes while captioned, 'eating with a Chinese.' This gesture, widely seen as a racist mockery of East Asians, quickly went viral, drawing fierce backlash from Japan, South Korea, China, and beyond. The 22-year-old’s actions not only tarnished her own reputation but also led to calls for boycotting Finland’s flag carrier, Finnair, as the controversy spilled over into economic and diplomatic realms.
And this is the part most people miss: Dzafce was later dethroned from her Miss Finland title, with the organization calling it a 'difficult but necessary' decision. In a statement, they emphasized that the role demands respect for all people, regardless of origin, background, or appearance. Meanwhile, back in Finland, Prime Minister Petteri Orpo condemned the gesture as 'thoughtless and stupid,' acknowledging the damage it caused to the country’s image.
Dzafce defended herself, claiming the gesture was a reaction to a headache during dinner and that the offensive caption was added by a friend without her consent. She issued an apology on Instagram, stating, 'That was not my intention in any way... Respect for people and their differences is one of my core values.' However, the apology itself became a point of contention. Written in Finnish, critics argued it was inaccessible to the very communities she had offended. 'Not sure Chinese outside of Finland would understand it. Such considerate and sincere apology,' one commenter sarcastically noted.
Here’s where it gets controversial: Two Finnish right-wing MPs, Juho Eerola and Kaisa Garedew, publicly supported Dzafce by posting photos of themselves mimicking the slanted-eyes gesture. Their actions were swiftly condemned as 'childish' by Prime Minister Orpo, who stressed that lawmakers should model proper conduct. After facing backlash, the MPs removed the posts, with Eerola apologizing and claiming Dzafce’s punishment was 'disproportionately harsh.' The Finns Party is now considering whether to sanction the MPs for their behavior.
Finnair, caught in the crossfire, distanced itself from the controversy, stating on its Japanese X account, 'The statements or posts mentioned by some Finnish members of parliament do not represent the values of Finnair. We promise to welcome everyone with respect.' The airline also acknowledged the impact of the controversy, noting calls for tourists to boycott Finland.
The debacle has resonated deeply in East Asia, with a Japanese man living in Finland launching a petition demanding an investigation into anti-Asian discrimination. As of Sunday evening, it had gathered over 7,000 signatures, according to the Asahi Shimbun. The Finnish embassy in Japan admitted, 'Racism remains a challenge in Finnish society, and its resolution requires continuous and resolute efforts.'
This controversy is just the latest chapter in a tumultuous Miss Universe season, which has already faced walkouts and rigging allegations during its Thailand audition. It raises a thought-provoking question: How should public figures be held accountable for culturally insensitive actions, and what role should institutions play in addressing systemic biases?
What do you think? Was Dzafce’s punishment justified, or was it an overreaction? And how can Finland—or any country—effectively combat racism while fostering global understanding? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and let’s keep the conversation going.
