Miss Sāmoa to be crowned today, continuing 30 yr legacy of empowering women

A brand new 2024 Digicel Miss Sāmoa will be crowned this Saturday evening (NZ time), culminating one of the most anticipated events on the Pacific calendar, as it displays the richness of Sāmoan culture during the beloved Teuila Festival.

The pageant’s premier night kicked off on 4 September, day three of the Teuila Festival, continuing a 30 year long tradition of pageantry that exists to give women a platform of empowerment and as well as to serve their community.

This year there are 15 beautiful contestants, competing for the title that is being passed down from the current Miss Sāmoa Moemoana Safa’atoa Schwenke.

The theme of this year’s pageant is "Alofa i lau Sāmoa matalasi” and it includes four categories: introductions, sarong, puletasi and the creative coconut category.

Over the week the contestants have had the chance to introduce themselves and display their talents, but the weekend brings the most anticipated events of the pageant.

On Friday morning the public flocked to the Government Building in Apia for the Digicel Miss Sāmoa Floral Float Parade.

Each contestant had their own float prepared by the district council in which they are representing.

PMN Samoa's To’oto’olemanino Agapetos Leaupepe was present in Sāmoa at the float parade on Friday and said that the energy from the community was amazing.

“There were so many people continuing to hang around even after it was done, wanting to linger onto the energy for a while longer," he said.

“There was talk of this year’s festival not being run this year, but obviously it is an event very beloved by the community and as we could see by the energy today, everyone was very pleased that it did end up going ahead.”

The Crowning Night ceremony will commence at 2pm on Saturday (NZT), concluding with the announcement of the new Miss Sāmoa 2024-2025.

Contestants will be judged based on four categories; Siva Sāmoa, talent, traditionally inspired wear, and finally the stage interview.

The 15 contestants in this year’s pageant are:

Miss Lavashe Couture Alaimālō Joanna Sulusi Vasa (Salelologa and Samauga)

Miss Tausala America Anastasia Pagostar Maiai (Moamoa and Alamagoto)

Miss Pacific Climate Warriors Brianna Marisa Nātiafo’ifatuālavai Romana Fruean (Toamua and Falelima)

Miss Sāmoa Victoria Inc. Chantelle Tautunuafatasi (Sapapali’i and Saleaula)

Miss Sāmoa New South Wales Epiphanyetaline Agalelei Vaomua Wright (Afega and Tafatafa Falealili)

Miss Pacific Mix Ida Siala Okesene (Sapapali’i and Sasina)

Miss Komiti o Tinā ma Tama’ita’i Falealili Ingridvanie Fetoai (Matautu Falealili and Salelologa)

Miss Sāmoa USA Josephina Fa’atupufilemu Lealaitafea (Malie)

Miss Impact Services Litara Loma Leilani Iremia-Allan (Sapapali’i and Saoluafata)

Miss Hidden Threader Lydia Le’alona Moananu (Falefā and Luatuanu’u)

Miss Sāmoa New Zealand Precious Miriama Tusega (Feleatiu and Tuana’i)

Miss JADS Samoa Rayleen Simati (Viamoso and Letui)

Miss Sāmoa Queensland Inc. So’otuli Ausage Pepe (Faiafai-Iva and Magiagi)

Miss Sāmoa Hawaii Tanara Sue Fa’amausili (Vaiala)

Miss Liahona Consultancy Teuila Emmy Alofipo (Saipipi and Vaitoloa)