Who: Sara Havunen, a 22-year-old Finnish woman who won the title of Miss Finland in September 2024.
The Action: She posted a photo of herself on social media pulling the corners of her eyes to make them appear slanted. The image was captioned (though attribution is disputed) with a text translating to "Having dinner with a Chinese person."
Why It's Offensive: The eye-pulling gesture is widely recognized as a racist stereotype and mocking caricature of people of East Asian descent. It is considered deeply offensive and derogatory.
The Fallout and Consequences:
Public Backlash: The photo sparked immediate and severe criticism in Finland and internationally. It was called out as racist, anti-Asian, and completely unbecoming of a national representative.
Defense and Excuses: Initially, Havunen offered a dubious explanation, claiming she was merely rubbing her temples due to a "terrible headache." A friend also claimed responsibility for adding the offensive caption without her knowledge. These defenses were largely dismissed by the public and the pageant organization.
Official Apology: Under mounting pressure, the Miss Finland Organization published an official apology from Sara Havunen on December 8, 2024. In it, she admitted her behavior was wrong, took full responsibility, and expressed deep regret.
The Ultimate Punishment: On December 17, 2024, the Miss Finland Organization announced it was stripping Sara Havunen of her title. They stated her actions were incompatible with the values and responsibilities of representing Finland. Their statement emphasized that with a national and international role, "actions and responsibility are intertwined and inseparable."
Miss Universe Participation: Notably, this scandal erupted after Havunen had already represented Finland at the Miss Universe 2024 pageant in Thailand (which took place in late November/early December 2024). Her reign was cut short upon her return.
Key Points from the Statements:
Miss Finland Organization: They framed their decision as a matter of values and responsibility. They made it clear that holding the title of Miss Finland is not just a crown but a representative role with serious expectations of conduct.
Sara Havunen's Apology: She acknowledged her actions caused hurt and disappointment, apologized sincerely, and stated it was not her intent. However, the organization deemed the act severe enough to warrant the title's removal regardless of intent or subsequent apology.
In Summary:
Sara Havunen, Miss Finland 2024, was dethroned because she posted a racially insensitive photo using an anti-Asian stereotype. Despite participating in Miss Universe and issuing an apology, the Miss Finland Organization took a firm stance on accountability. They determined that her actions contradicted the integrity of the title, leading to the unprecedented step of stripping her of the crown just three months after her win. The case became a high-profile example of public figures facing serious consequences for racist behavior in the age of social media.