Show summary Hide summary
Ignacia Fernández turned a beauty-pageant runway into a metal stage this week, pairing couture with guttural vocals and shocking a national audience. The Chilean model and frontwoman of progressive death metal band Decessus brought a live bandmate onstage at the Miss World Chile semifinals, and the moment quickly became a viral symbol of authenticity meeting spectacle.
How a pageant evening became a metal milestone
At the Miss World Chile 2025 semifinals, Fernández stepped out in a classic ball gown and delivered an original Decessus track. She invited guitarist Carlos Palma to join her, blending pageant polish with extreme music energy. The performance ended in a standing ovation.
Nas slams music industry over disrespect: teases new music, vows to address it
1992 vocal performances: 3 jaw-dropping moments that still amaze
The reaction was notable. Judges praised her for a bold, unexpected choice. Television viewers and social feeds lit up with clips and commentary.
Fernández advanced to the top 20 and will compete in the final on Sunday, Nov. 9. The winner will represent Chile at Miss Universe.
Decessus: inside the Chilean progressive death metal band
Fernández co-founded Decessus in 2020. What began as a local project has gained momentum on national and international stages.
Band lineup and career highlights
- Ignacia Fernández — lead vocals and co-founder.
- Carlos Palma — guitarist and the musician who joined her onstage at the pageant.
- Martín Fénix — drums.
- Jaime Pepe — bass.
The group has opened for international acts such as Jinjer, Insomnium, and Epica. Those shows helped Decessus broaden its audience beyond Chile.
Behind the growl: how Fernández protects her voice
Fernández described careful vocal preparation as essential to her career. She studied extreme vocals intensively for over two years.
Her routine includes working with an ENT specialist and a speech therapist, daily warm-ups, and structured exercises before shows.
- Regular medical checks with an ENT.
- Speech therapy to maintain safe technique.
- Warm-up sessions lasting 15 to 30 minutes before performances.
That discipline keeps her able to perform both onstage with Decessus and in high-profile public appearances.
Authenticity on live TV: risks, rewards, and cultural impact
Fernández admitted she worried about how TV audiences would react. She noted that broadcasts can invite ridicule and memes. Still, she chose to present her true self.
“I’m not trying to fit in. I’m trying to show myself as I am,” she said after the performance. That sentiment resonated with viewers who value representation and boundary-pushing art.
The moment also sparked conversation about genre crossover and the visibility of metal in mainstream spaces. By bringing death metal into a national pageant, Fernández challenged expectations about femininity, fashion, and musical expression.
What comes next for Fernández and Decessus
With a spot in the top 20, Fernández moves forward in the Miss World Chile competition while continuing her work with Decessus. The band’s growing profile suggests more festival slots and support dates could follow.
The pageant finale on Nov. 9 will decide who moves on to Miss Universe, but Fernández’s performance has already made a mark beyond trophies. It underscored an emerging trend: artists refusing to compartmentalize identity for mainstream approval.
