HELSINKI, Finland (AP) — Finland’s government is facing intense pressure and accusations of racism from several Asian countries after its representative for the Miss Universe 2025 pageant was seen pulling the corners of her eyes in a photo — and some Finnish politicians posted their own photos repeating the gesture.
Sarah Dzafce lost her Miss Finland crown last week after a photo of Dzafce pulling the skin at the corners of her eyes posted on social media went viral late last month. The photo, and its caption that reads “eating with a Chinese,” has been criticized by governments and commentators across Finland and Asia as discrimination against Asians.
Dzafce, who won Miss Finland in September, told Finnish media that she was trying to relieve a headache. The Helsinki Times reported that she said a friend had shared the private image and wrote the caption without her input. Dzafce did not respond to The Associated Press’ request for comment Thursday.
Dzafce apologized to social media on December 8 and said it was never her intention to hurt anyone.
“The title of Miss Finland is not only a crown for me, but also a responsibility. Responsibility for how I speak, how I act, and how my actions can affect people,” she wrote in Finnish.
She added: “I take responsibility for my actions and I will learn from this.”
Days later, the Miss Finland Organization revoked her status as Miss Finland 2025 — known as Miss Suomi in Finnish.
“The events of the last few days have caused deep hurt, disappointment, and concern both in Finland and internationally – in full,” the organization wrote on social media. “We are very sorry for the damage these events have caused. Especially to the Asian community, but also to everyone affected. Racism is never acceptable in any form.”
The controversy started when several Finnish far-right politicians rallied around Dzafce after she lost her crown. Members of parliament who are part of the coalition in government posted their own photos where they pull the skin around their eyes.
The furor spread across Asia, prompting Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo to issue an apology to several countries, including Japan and South Korea, through statements in their languages posted on the Finnish embassy’s social media accounts.
“These posts do not reflect Finland’s values of equality and inclusion,” Orpo’s statement said. “Racism and discrimination have no place in Finnish society. Our message in Finland and to our friends abroad is that the Government takes racism seriously and is committed to fighting the issue. Finland always aims to do better. Politicians have the responsibility to serve as examples in this regard.”
The Japanese government reached out to the Finnish embassy in Tokyo and expressed its concerns.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara, the government’s chief spokesman, said Japan hopes to maintain close communication with Helsinki.
“I understand that the Finnish Prime Minister has issued a statement expressing his deepest apologies for the recent insulting posts made on social media by some members of parliament,” Kihara said. “Like the Japanese government, we have conveyed through the local embassy our concerns about the case and expectations for an appropriate response.”
Finland is a major tourist destination for visitors from Asia, and some users on the social platform X have called for a boycott of travel to Finland and of Finnair, the country’s largest airline.
Päivyt Tallqvist, the airline’s senior vice president of communications, told Finnish broadcaster Yle that the scandal had hurt the company’s international operations without providing details.