A 27-year-old woman was crowned Miss Grand Prix 2025 but the celebration quickly turned sour when she became the target of racist insults on social media.
Estefani Yan, originally from Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic and living in Carpi, a city in the province of Modena in northern Italy, won the crown at the national final in Pescara on 1st September.
Estefani had been a high jump and triple jump athlete with the Dominican Republic's national military team before moving to Italy, where she now works as a beautician in her sister’s salon.
Miss Grand Prix Estefani Yan, 27, poses in undated photo. She is living in Carpi, Italy. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (@estefany.yan/Newsflash/NX)
Her clients encouraged her to take part in the competition and, after her victory, she said she kept the crown on her bedside table all night.
But alongside the congratulations came a flood of negative comments, with online users writing that she "did not have Carpi features" and "did not represent Carpi."
Others went further, insisting "there were much more beautiful women with the defect of being Italian."
Speaking to local media, Estefani asked: "What have I done to these people? I never claimed to represent Italian or Carpi beauty.
"I participated as a woman in an important competition. I never thought I'd be swept away by malice and racial hatred."
Miss Grand Prix Estefani Yan, 27, (right) poses in undated photo. She is living in Carpi, Italy. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (@estefany.yan/Newsflash/NX)
She stressed that Carpi is her home, saying: "Even though I wasn't born in Carpi, I live here and feel this city is my home.
"I was very proud to have brought the crown to Carpi, representing it with respect and gratitude."
Estefani added that she has never before faced such direct racial abuse, saying: "There’s so much ignorance out there.
"People have become more cruel and intolerant. I think it's extremely exaggerated. I haven’t hurt anyone."
Miss Grand Prix Estefani Yan, 27, poses in undated photo. She is living in Carpi, Italy. Note: Image is a screenshot from post. (@estefany.yan/Newsflash/NX)
Although many urged her to report the attacks, she explained: "I won't because it's not in my nature. I don't want to put anyone in trouble.
"Freedom of expression exists, but so do education and respect.
"I’m hurt, but I know I'm strong enough to move on. I've also received so much support, and that fills my heart.
"I walk with my head held high and proudly wear my crown."
(Mike Leidig / newsX)