Ignacia Fernández just made pageant history — and she did it with death metal screams.
The Miss World Chile finals on 9 November crowned the 27-year-old vocalist from Santiago as the country’s new representative, only days after her semi-final talent round went viral for all the right reasons. Instead of a classical routine or dance number, Fernández unleashed a full-throttle performance backed by guitarist Carlos Palma and her own band DECESSUS, growling over progressive death metal riffs while still dressed in full pageant glam.
The clip exploded across social media, with fans praising her for breaking the mould: “Very inspiring seeing a metal girlie in the pageant world,” one comment read — while another joked, “I thought this was AI at first.”
A metal musician first, a beauty queen second
Fernández has been part of Chile’s heavy-music scene since forming Decessus in 2020, releasing singles like ‘The Hollow Descent’, 'Dying Hope Blossoms' and ‘Dark Flames’. She’s also featured on Chilean death metal outfit Alhazred’s EP Cúpula, building a reputation for her dynamic growls and stage presence.
Outside of music, she’s known for her advocacy work — notably her involvement with animal-rights organisation Animal Libre — and for openly linking metal to empowerment. In a recent post, she wrote that the genre has been her “refuge, a source of strength and purpose.”
The performance that changed everything
During the semi-finals, Fernández stepped out in a sweeping ball gown, sash reading Las Condes, before switching instantly into gutturals and blast-beat-ready intensity. Judges were visibly stunned; fans called it “proof you can be gorgeous and feminine but still metal.”
The gamble paid off: she advanced to the finals and ultimately won the national crown.
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What’s next for Ignacia Fernández
As Miss World Chile, she’ll move on to the global Miss World stage next year — and fans are already wondering if she’ll bring her metal roots with her. With DECESSUS gaining international attention overnight, this could also be the push that launches the band into a wider spotlight.
Whether she’s in a tiara or onstage in black-metal eyeliner, Fernández has carved a new lane for both metalheads and pageant hopefuls. And honestly? We’re here for all of it.
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