‘This is what Pasifika women can achieve when we have each other’s back’

“Got you Carmel.”

“Got you too.”

There wasn’t a dry eye in our house on Tuesday night when we were watching two incredible Pacific women tackle the most gruelling challenge of this Celebrity Treasure Island season.

Episode eight was an emotional rollercoaster with trust doubts, maintaining real life friendships while forming game allies, crocodile tears, make believe tension, real tears, and drag star Spankie Jackzon “tapping out” of the game due to a medical emergency.

All of this before Carmel Sepuloni is put up against Aidee Walker for elimination.

Sepuloni’s team, Wētā, expected her to be called up and when kaihautu Wairangi Koopu quietly consults with her to use their swap card advantage, she turned to him and confidently said, “I’ll just do it bro”.

It’s then announced that it’s an endurance challenge and players must each select a teammate to hold a block up with their feet. The team that holds it up the longest wins.

Walker surprisingly picks opposing teammate Mea Motu, counting on her physical strength and their small connection made outside the game.

The “Nightmea” boxer is seething at the thought of fighting for the opposing team as she begrudgingly steps off the bleachers to join Walker.

"The Night" Mea Motu unhappy with being chosen as Aidee Walkers' teammate.

Sepuloni chooses Gaby Solomona, who’s game face had our flat cheering like it was the Olympics.

What unfolded was a pure display of Pacific strength and resilience.

Sepuloni told PMN News that for her, it couldn’t have been “anyone but Gaby for that challenge”.

“It wasn’t just physical, it needed to be someone who wouldn't want to let me down. It needed to be someone who shared with me a mutual obligation to each other, respect and love.

“I mean to be honest Gaby and I also shared a dislike for the way Aidee had played the game. There’s nothing like a little vendetta to help motivate women!”

For Solomona, the challenge came on a day where she was facing internal conflicts but ultimately a word with the man upstairs helped steer her course.

“I remember waking up that morning feeling defeated, missing home. The game gets to you and only those of us who have been on it will know.

“My prayer that morning was, ‘why am I here, God?’ And that challenge was his answer, ‘tautua’.”

The challenge begins

Ten minutes into the feat, Solomona’s legs were quivering but Sepuloni was solid from the get go, determined to push through.

“For the first 30 minutes of that challenge I wanted to look and feel strong for Gaby, to keep her focused. When she faltered, I had to encourage her. I matched by words of encouragement with my island eyes of ‘don’t you dare give up’.”

At the 40 minute mark fatigue had set in but the balance shifted where Carmel was ready to drop the box and Gaby became the motivator.

“I supported Gabby through what was a shaky start but as she grew in strength, we switched roles and she ended up being the pillar of strength for me,” Sepuloni said.

A moment etched into CTI history is when Solomona began to sing “Falealili Uma” - a song she closely affiliates with her Nana.

The NiuFM host said it was a spiritual moment for her and the pain diminished - she’s also sorry about her “remixed lyrics”.

“I am not sure why but this was the song that came to me in this moment and it brought us both peace in the midst of struggle and wanting to give up in this challenge."

Sepuloni said memories of home flooded her mind.

“When Gabby started singing, I zoned out. I thought of my first time in Sāmoa. Travelling in the dark from the airport to my village. I could smell the koko in the air and I knew who would greet me at the other end. I thought of all those who were there to greet me - many of them are not here anymore.

“Her singing distracted me from my ruptured Achilles, the haematoma in my calf, my burning quads and my sore abs!”

The strength of this moment rippled through every Pacific soul tuned in and JP Foliaki articulated it perfectly.

“It’s really empowering to see two Pasifika women hold each other up, especially with Carmel being our former Deputy Prime Minister. She’s got the malu on full display, she’s got her earrings.

“At this point I don’t really care about the game. I just want to see our people being great.”

The 50 minute point is where contestants could no longer use their hands for support, Solomona continued to be their duo’s steady support repeating "fa’amalosi" (stay strong).

Up until now, the other pair were stable but the last moments of the challenge saw Motu suffer a leg cramp that she couldn’t shake. Walker lost her balance and their box dropped.

And regardless of the result, the challenge was ultimately an incredible display of the power of mana wāhine.

“When I was almost going to drop it but we won - I was so emotional,” said Sepuloni.

“What was going through my mind was, this is what Pasifika women can achieve when we genuinely have each other's back. I was proud of our faith, courage, strength, determination and alofa for each other. There is nothing more satisfying than achieving something like that - together.”

O le ala i le pule, o le tautua - The pathway to leadership is through service

For Solomona, CTI is a game and a TV show that she’s grateful to have an opportunity to showcase the brown Pacific pride she’s long advocated for.

She says she’s received so many messages from people and families who resonated with them and felt empowered.

“It’s amazing, the power, spirit, and what we felt in that arena that night, you go to feel a bit of that through a screen.”

She also says “it’s not that deep fam” but she’ll never forget “being able to serve Carmel”.

“To have had that moment with my big sis Carmel, surrounded by both teams and our brother Lance was so special.”

Sepuloni says the show doesn’t capture the real connection between them and that often before cameras arrive at camp she and Solomona would bathe in the river and “laugh, gossip, and encourage each other”.

She also says they’d often share words of wisdom about “diplomacy and calmness” and that Gaby is “talented, creative, young, smart, sassy and ready to hit the world up”.

“I needed Gabby on that day and she stepped up to serve me wonderfully. In asking Gabby to step up for me, she was provided with an opportunity. She took that opportunity and owned it.

“If she didn't know this before then, she and the world certainly know it now - she can do anything. Don't mess with my little sistah!”