When Beauty Meets Brutal Riffs — Miss World Chile Contestant Ignacia Fernández Shocks Judges with a Powerful Death Metal Performance During the Semi Finals
The Miss World Chile 2025 competition took an unexpected, electrifying turn this weekend when contestant Ignacia Fernández stormed the stage during the semifinals with a performance no one saw coming — a full-blown death metal act that left judges stunned, the audience divided, and social media ablaze.
Representing Las Condes, Santiago, the 27-year-old model and musician walked onto the stage in full glam — sleek black gown, statement earrings, and the signature Miss World Chile sash draped across her shoulder. The room buzzed with the usual pageant calm. Then, in an instant, she raised the microphone, took a breath, and unleashed a guttural growl that sent a visible ripple of shock through the crowd. The transformation from beauty queen to metal frontwoman was instant, unapologetic, and unforgettable.
Fernández performed an original track from her own band, Decessus — a progressive death metal group she co-founded in 2020. With growling vocals and a thunderous guitar solo from her bandmate Carlos Palma Morán, the performance shattered every preconceived notion of what a beauty pageant talent round should look like. Cameras captured the wide eyes of judges and gasps from the audience as the act escalated from melodic intro to full-force metal energy.
“I wanted to show who I really am,” Fernández later said in a post-performance interview. “Metal has been a part of me for years — it’s not just music, it’s a way of expressing strength, power, and emotion. Being able to show that on the Miss World stage was something deeply personal.”
In an Instagram post that quickly went viral, Fernández shared her gratitude to the organizers for allowing her to perform without censorship. “Metal has been a fundamental part of who I am as a person and of my life: a refuge, a source of strength and purpose. Being able to express that on stage in front of the judges and audience was an opportunity I deeply value.”
Her post drew thousands of comments within hours. Fans from around the world — particularly women in the metal community — celebrated her boldness. “This is what breaking stereotypes looks like,” one fan wrote. Another comment read, “She didn’t just perform — she made history.”
But not everyone was on board. Traditional pageant followers expressed mixed reactions online, arguing that the tone and intensity of her act felt “out of place” for a Miss World competition. One critic commented, “I admire her confidence, but a death metal scream isn’t what you expect from a beauty pageant.” Others defended her, saying that art, in any form, deserves a place on that stage.
The debate grew quickly, with Chilean media outlets like Chilevisión and Las Últimas Noticias covering the uproar. Even international entertainment sites like Louder Sound and Vice published features analyzing how Fernández’s performance bridged two seemingly incompatible worlds — the refinement of pageantry and the raw power of extreme metal.
Fernández, however, seemed unfazed by the criticism. She told Las Últimas Noticias that she knew her performance would shock viewers, but she was prepared for it. “Television lends itself to people making memes and making fun of you,” she said. “But I prefer that over pretending to be something I’m not. The song I sang is from my band — it’s my work, my life.”
For those unfamiliar with her music career, Fernández is far more than a pageant hopeful dabbling in metal. She has been performing in the Chilean metal scene for over five years, fronting Decessus and touring across Latin America. Her band has opened for internationally recognized acts such as Epica and Jinjer, earning respect within the underground community for their technical skill and stage presence.
Her dual identity — beauty queen and metal vocalist — has become a focal point in discussions about modern femininity. On one hand, Fernández embodies the elegance and poise expected from a Miss World contestant; on the other, she channels raw aggression and authenticity through her music. To her, these worlds aren’t contradictory but complementary. “There’s strength in both,” she explained in a recent radio interview. “Being feminine doesn’t mean you can’t be fierce.”
Her dedication to her craft is also evident in her discipline. She revealed that she works with vocal coaches, a speech therapist, and even an ENT specialist to maintain her vocal health. Death metal growling, she explained, requires control and precision, not chaos. “People assume metal screaming destroys your voice,” she said. “But when done right, it’s technique. You learn to breathe, to project, to protect your cords. It’s an art form.”
Following the performance, clips from the show exploded across TikTok and Instagram. In one viral clip, a judge can be seen momentarily frozen, mouth open, as Fernández transitions from a soft melodic intro to a deep, resonant growl. The comment sections quickly filled with reactions ranging from “Chile just changed the pageant game” to “She’s redefining what beauty means.”
Despite the polarized reactions, Fernández advanced to the Top 20 finalists, securing her place in the upcoming Miss World Chile grand finale on November 9. The pageant’s organizers praised her confidence and originality, emphasizing that Miss World’s mission is to highlight each contestant’s individuality and purpose.
For many, Fernández’s act represents a generational shift. Pageants, once focused almost exclusively on appearance and grace, are increasingly embracing diversity, culture, and authenticity. Her performance wasn’t just a stunt — it was a statement that beauty and strength can take many forms, even those that challenge long-standing traditions.
Chilean music fans have since hailed Fernández as a national icon for breaking barriers between two vastly different communities. Local metal publications have celebrated her as “the ambassador of alternative art” and credited her for giving visibility to a genre often marginalized by mainstream media. “She proved that you can love metal, wear heels, and own a stage full of spotlights,” one fan wrote online.
International media has also taken note. Vice described her performance as “a defining moment for pageants in the streaming era,” noting that her unapologetic authenticity resonated with millions beyond the competition itself. Louder Sound praised her for “bringing death metal to one of the least likely stages on Earth and doing it with grace.”
Whether or not she wins the national crown, Ignacia Fernández has already made history. Her performance has sparked global conversations about identity, self-expression, and the evolving definition of beauty. For Fernández, it’s not about controversy or virality — it’s about ownership. “I didn’t do it to shock anyone,” she said. “I did it because it’s who I am. If I can inspire even one girl to be brave enough to be herself, then I’ve already won.”
As the Miss World Chile finals approach, all eyes will be on Fernández once again. Win or lose, her name has already crossed borders, her growl echoing far beyond the pageant stage. She’s proven that authenticity isn’t always soft-spoken — sometimes, it roars.
