Chile’s Miss World contestant Ignacia Fernández went viral for performing a death metal song at the Miss World Chile talent competition last weekend.
The 27-year-old lead singer of Chile’s progressive death metal band ‘Decessus’ sang an original song backed by the band’s guitarist, Carlos Palma.
She didn’t hold back, unleashing powerful death metal growls and screams while dressed in a black ball gown, her sash, full hair, and makeup.
Fernández, who represented the Las Condes region in Santiago, earned a standing ovation and a place in the Top 20 finalists, advancing to the finals on November 9.
Miss World Chile is a national pageant selecting representatives for both Miss World and Miss Universe, with traditional categories alongside a talent segment.
After footage of the moment went viral, social media praised Fernández for challenging the traditional standards of beauty pageants.
One commenter wrote, “Finally someone breaks down stereotypes about what is feminine,” as another said, “Very inspiring seeing a metal girl in the pageant world.”
“Proof you can be gorgeous and feminine but still metal,” another person pointed out.
Others commented, “HELL YEAH” and, “First time being interested in a beauty contest.”
Chile has a strong heavy music scene, making Fernández’s performance a natural fit – yet it still took the rest of the world by surprise.
“I can’t believe this is real. I thought it was AI,” one person wrote.
Others declared she was “the perfect woman” and revealed they were now “obsessed” with her.
After all the praise, Fernández took to social media to share her passion for music.
“Metal has been a fundamental part of who I am as a person and in my life: a refuge, a source of strength and purpose,” she wrote on Instagram.
“Being able to express it on stage at Chilevision and Miss Mundo Chile was an opportunity I deeply value.
“It was a great experience to break down barriers on open television, inspire, be real with it and show that you don’t have to fear the prejudices of others.”
Fernández founded her band in 2020 and has been steadily building a name in Chile’s metal scene.
She has opened for international bands like Jinjer, Epica, and Fleshgod Apocalypse.
It seems the world of pageantry is changing.
Earlier this week, the 2024 Miss Universe winner stormed out of one of this year’s pre-events after a pageant boss publicly reprimanded Miss Mexico for having “no respect.”
Victoria Theilvig walked out from the sashing ceremony at the Miss Universe delegates’ hotel in Bangkok, Thailand, which is hosting this year’s competition.
Nawat Itsaragrisil, Vice President for Asia and Oceania of the Miss Universe Organisation, publicly scolded Fátima Bosch in front of the other beauty queens for not attending a sponsor shoot earlier that day.
He told the women they must promote everything they’re told to by his team and claimed Miss Mexico “doesn’t do anything she doesn’t like.”
In live footage shared on the Miss Universe Thailand Facebook page, Itsaragrisil is seen instructing Bosch to stand and “explain herself” in front of the cameras.
Bosch looked visibly uncomfortable and responded that she didn’t like being publicly called out in front of her peers.
He then called for security to escort the Mexican beauty queen out of the room, but as she begun to walk out, dozens of other contestants followed her, seemingly staging a walkout.
Itsaragrisil can then be heard shouting, “Stop, stop,” and, “Sit down,” as the women made their way out of the room.
He even threatened to disqualify them from the competition if they left but it didn’t deter them.
Theilvig was one of many who walked out, telling an interviewer outside that, “This is about women’s rights”.
“I’m so sorry, we need to do something bigger,” the reigning winner added.
“We have respect for everyone, but this is not how things can be handled. To trash another girl – it’s beyond disrespectful, and it’s nothing I’ve ever done. That’s why I’m taking my coat and I’m going.”
Miss Mexico then spoke to members of the Thai media, telling them, “I truly love this island, I respect all of you, you’re amazing people, but what your director did is not respectful. He called me dumb … I don’t try to mess with anyone, I just try to be kind and do my best, and he just (told me) to shut up.”
Speaking about the walkout, she said: “I think the world needs to see this, because we are empowered women and no one can shut-out our voice … no one will do that to me.”
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
