Hereditary princess Julianna Kauhaniemi tells Iltalehte her thoughts about Miss Finland Sarah Dzafce losing her crown due to racism.
A hereditary princess Julianna Kauhaniemi learned through media live broadcasts that Sarah Dzafce has lost her Miss Finland crown because of racism. The new Miss Finland was crowned Tara Lehtonen.
Kauhaniemi decided to visit Niinattari in Helsinki after the press conference had ended. Kauhaniemi tells Iltalehti that there were “many kinds of emotions” in the space.
– There was joy on Tara’s part, because she is starting a new life. Then I saw Sarah and… her mood was maybe not the best, the heiress princess describes.
– We agreed with Sarah that we will discuss the matter later, because she wants her own time now. And of course I congratulated Tara and told her it was an honor to be her crown princess. And we also discussed practical matters, i.e., am I another hereditary princess or what do I call myself? he adds.
Julianna Kauhaniemi heard about the Miss Finland organization’s decision at the same time as the Finnish media. Elle Laitila
It was “shocking” for Kauhaniemi that Dzafce lost his crown.
– This has never happened before, that the crown is taken away. But I feel that the organization made a decision that they felt was right for this uproar in order to calm it down, he says.
Kauhaniemi feels that the decision of the Miss Finland organization was the right decision.
– I personally do not accept any kind of racism, it is not part of my values. I know that it is not part of the values of the Miss Finland organization either.
According to Julianna Kauhaniemi, Sarah Dzafce now wants her own time. Maarit Pohjanpalo
Before this decision came, did you think Sara Dzafce or the Miss Finland organization handled this uproar well, or would there have been something that could have been improved?
– You can always think about how you could do better, but I feel that they handled the situation best with the resources they could. I might have reacted differently on some level, but it’s always better to say it in hindsight. They did what they saw as best at that moment, Kauhaniemi answers.
According to Kauhaniemi, he has a really warm relationship with both Dzafcee and Lehtosee and is in contact with them every day. According to the hereditary princess, she has not had a discussion about the quarrel with Dzafce.
Kauhaniemi himself has tried to be as neutral as possible amid the commotion, but admits that it has been difficult to watch Dzafce’s situation from the sidelines.
– His actions have had such a big impact. I haven’t been able to do anything other than being as neutral as possible in this situation.
– This commotion has put me in a pretty difficult situation, because I love Sarah and I want to be a good friend to her. But then again, I have my own values and how I see the best way to act for myself and my career. There has been a bit of searching about how to be.
In September, Sarah Dzafce (center) was crowned Miss Finland. Tara Lehtonen (right) was chosen as the first hereditary princess and Julianna Kauhaniemi (left) as the second hereditary princess. Timur Yilmaz
If Lehtonen had refused the Miss Finland crown, Kauhaniemi would have been asked to accept it. The hereditary princess says that she would have accepted the Miss Finland crown with honor. However, she now proudly carries the crown of the only hereditary princess and supports Lehto throughout this Miss Finland season.
Kauhaniemi hopes that through the competition it will be possible to create a stronger image for the Miss Suomi brand.
– And we would remember what is really most important in this life. It’s about treating each other like friends, because at the end of the day, we’re supposed to make this world one. It is the task of each of us to do it with our own words and actions, he says in conclusion.