Behind the curtain: Exploring fa’afafine and trans identity

What does it mean to be fa’afafine? To be proudly trans and Sāmoan in a world that so often misunderstands or even erases both identities?

These vulnerable yet powerful questions lie at the heart of the bold and deeply personal theatre show titled WTF: What The Fa’afafine!?!, returning to the stage this month at the Kia Mau Festival in Pōneke Wellington.

Written, performed, and directed by emerging Sāmoan creative Hibiscus Tupua-Wilson, the show offers a rare and resonant insight into the lived experiences of fa’afafine and trans identities.

It examines their place within mainstream and community spaces, challenges stereotypes, embraces cultural pride, and reclaims space.

Born and raised in Lower Hutt, Tupua-Wilson moved to Sāmoa in 2011 for their junior high school before returning to Aotearoa to complete their senior education.

Now 25 and based in the capital, Tupua-Wilson is part of a new wave of Pacific artistic storytellers, holding a Bachelor of Arts in Pacific Studies, Sāmoan Studies, and Theatre from Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington.

In an interview with Tofiga Fepulea’i on 531pi, Tupua Wilson reflects on their early passion for the arts.

“I’ve always been such an outgoing person growing up. I’ve always loved dressing up and just acting like a fool around mum and dad.

“So they kinda saw that drama and theatre was a thing for me. Being in the arts and theatre is something I was passionate about and loved, and decided to make it a fulltime thing for me.”

WTF: What The Fa’afafine!?! first premiered as a solo show at the TAHI Festival in 2020. It originated from Tupua Wilson’s inner thoughts and their desire to share their story.

“When I was approached…I felt unsure about what I was going to present, and then, just thinking about it and a lot of self-reflection, I wanted to share a little bit about my journey as someone who identifies as a fa’afine and a woman of trans experience,” Tupua-Wilson says.

“I did this piece at TAHI Festival back in 2020 as a solo piece, and now almost a whole five years later, I’m coming back with this work with a full cast.

“The reason why it’s not a solo piece now is because I wanted to share more stories, something I couldn’t do by myself.”

The show is now a collaborative creation brought to life by a vibrant ensemble of fa’afafine, queer, and cisgendered Pacific and Māori artists, each contributing their individual stories and strengths.

Through layered storytelling that blends spoken word, theatre, siva Sāmoa, and satire, WTF is both intimate and political.

It is a talanoa about self-identity, faith, family, and the cultural contradictions that fa’afafine and queer Pacific people often navigate. Tupua-Wilson explains the importance of a “chosen family”.

“The reason why I had asked them (to be in the show) is because they are my sisters and one of the themes within this show is sisterhood.”

The team’s journey has been supported by their communities, thanks to a successful crowdfunding campaign that exceeded its goal by raising over $4000.

Tupua-Wilson hopes to share this work beyond Aotearoa, especially in Sāmoa, where the performance themes of womanhood, identity, and the trans experience resonate deeply.

“It’s a journey and it’s a work in progress…this piece is essentially exploring the vā of womanhood as a fa’afine but also a woman of trans experience. When people think of fa’afine, they just assume that it’s a ‘trans woman’ in Sāmoan culture, that’s not the case.

“Each fa’afaine has their own journey and how they express themselves, so it’s just bridging the gap between both identities.”

What can audiences expect?

“A lot of crying,” Tupua-Wilson jokes. “It’s going to be quite an emotional piece. A little bit of humour. A lot of Siva Sāmoa. A lot of spoken word, and just a lot of ‘Fafa-Ganda’.”

WTF is an integral piece that confronts internal fears and external judgements while reaffirming and rewriting narratives to celebrate fa’afafine and trans voices.

Alongside this show, Tupua-Wilson is making waves across the creative sector, having co-written Arawhata, which toured nationally after sold-out runs at Wellington Fringe and Kia Mau Festivals.

She also appears in Season 2 of NEON NZ’s acclaimed series Not Even, playing the beloved best friend of the lead character, Pua.

As part of a space grounded in indigenous autonomy and artistic excellence, such as the Kia Mau Festival, WTF is both right at home and boundary-pushing. It’s not just a show; it’s a survival story, a love letter, and a calling.

CAST & CREW

Director, co-writer and actor: Hibiscus Tupua-Wilson (she/her)

Producer: Zalán Orbán (he/him)

Photographer, videographer and social media: Junior Cikamatana (he/him)

Actor and co-writer: Kiwi Rameka (she/her)

Actor and co-writer: K-Ci Hegigie (she/her)

Actor and co-writer: Toloa Faraimo (he/him)

WTF: What The Fa’afafine!?! runs from 11-13 June at Te Auaha, Wellington. Tickets are sold out.