A Miss World Chile 2025 semifinalist has captured international attention after trading a traditional pageant talent for “brutal vocals.” Ignacia Fernández, 27, a model and the founder of the progressive death metal band Decessus, performed one of her own original songs during the talent segment on Sunday, November 2.
The performance showed Fernández on stage in an elegant ball gown, accompanied by her band’s guitarist, Carlos Palma. Video from the event shows the initial shock from judges and attendees as Fernández unleashed her extreme vocal technique. That shock quickly turned into enthusiasm, culminating in a standing ovation. One judge remarked he had never seen anything like it.
The bold and authentic performance paid off: Fernández secured a spot in the top 20 and has advanced to the pageant’s final, which is scheduled for Sunday, November 9.
Speaking to the Chilean newspaper Las Últimas Noticias, Fernández admitted she was anxious about the decision, given the potential for public ridicule.
“Television lends itself to people making memes and making fun of you,” she explained.
However, the choice to perform her music was a matter of personal identity. “The song I sang is by my band. It’s my job, my life,” she stated.
Fernández has successfully balanced a modeling career, which she began in 2013, with her role as the frontwoman for Decessus. The band, formed in 2020, has built a serious reputation in the Chilean metal scene and beyond, supporting international acts like Insomnium, Jinjer, and Epica in Santiago, and playing festivals in Germany and Finland.
She has often stated on social media that metal “has been a fundamental part” of her identity, calling it “a refuge, a source of strength and purpose.”
Fernández also made it clear that her vocal style is a professionally honed skill, not a gimmick, detailing the intense training required.
“I studied for more than two years, very focused,” she said. “I have an ENT [ears, nose, and throat] specialist and a speech therapist with whom I constantly make sure that everything is okay. I warm up during the day, and before a show, I take between 15 and 30 minutes to do several exercises calmly.”
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