Move over pop ballads — Miss World Chile just went full metal.

During the nationally televised semifinals on November 2, 27-year-old contestant Ignacia Fernández stunned both judges and viewers when she unleashed a death metal growl on stage. Representing Las Condes, a district in her hometown of Santiago, Fernández performed an original track by her band Decessus, joined by guitarist Carlos Palma.

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The moment went viral almost instantly, making headlines around the world — from the U.S. to Spain and Australia — as clips of the metal-fueled performance flooded social media.

🎶 Breaking Stereotypes, One Scream at a Time
Fernández, who has been modeling since 2013 and co-founded Decessus in 2020, isn’t just dabbling in metal — it’s her passion and her profession.

“The song I sang is by my band. It’s my job, my life,” she told Las Últimas Noticias, admitting she was nervous about performing such a bold number on TV.

Despite the nerves, her performance impressed the judges enough to earn her a spot in the top 20, securing her place in the Miss World Chile 2025 grand final on November 9. If she wins, she’ll go on to represent Chile at Miss Universe — and possibly bring a little death metal flair to the global stage.

🖤 Dedication Behind the Voice
Fernández also shared how much training goes into her guttural vocals.

“I studied for more than two years, very focused. I have an ENT specialist and a speech therapist who help me make sure everything is okay.”

She carefully warms up her voice before every show — a mix of science, skill, and screaming.

🎸 Metal Rising in Chile
Fernández isn’t alone in putting Chilean metal on the map. Earlier this year, Metal Hammer spotlighted Santiago-based band Mawiza, who blend Indigenous Mapuche heritage with heavy music and have performed with global acts like Slipknot and Gojira.

From beauty pageants to the world stage, Chile’s metal scene is breaking boundaries — and Ignacia Fernández is leading the charge with a mic in one hand and a growl in her throat.