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Janine Tuivaiti crowned Miss Samoa 2012-2013

Janine Nicky Tuivaiti was crowned the new Miss Samoa this past Friday night (our Thursday night) at the Tuanaimato Gym.

The quiet-spoken 20 year-old, who despite the fact that she was born and raised in Aotearoa New Zealand, and that this is her first time in her ancestors’ homeland,  sounded just as “homegrown Samoan” as the local contestants in this year’s pageant. 

She thanked the Lord for giving her the strength to compete. She also acknowledged with love her grandmother for her Samoan upbringing which is pretty hard in a country where everyone speaks English most of the time.

“I feel so privileged and honored to have been chosen as the ambassador of Samoa tonight,” she said. “I would like to acknowledge my sponsor, Thomsen’s Bridal Couture, my supporters and my family. This is a huge honor for me and I thank God for giving the strength.”

The 20 year-old law student at the University of Auckland who hails from Faleasiu-uta and Levi, Falelatai said that it was very emotional when she at last arrived at the villages where her parents grew up as children.

She went on to say that she is keen to promote Samoa to the world as one of the best holiday destinations.

The six contestants performed to a packed house that night which kicked off a bit rocky, with a short period of power outage, but when all was righted and the power came back on, it was smooth sailing the rest of the evening.

First runner-up Miss Penina Day Spa Rezettakahealani Eric Mulitalo won a lot of support from the audience on Friday night. with her bubbly, funloving personality which masked a sharp and intelligent mind. She won the Best Interview, Miss Internet, Best Traditionally Inspired Attire, Sarong and Best Puletasi.

But Janine’s beautiful smile with her quiet strength and no nonsense demeanor won the night.

The new Miss Samoa also won Miss Photogenic and the Best Talent for her moving rendition of the Samoan national anthem which she sang with such feeling that the audience applauded halfway through!

After the pageant she reiterated that she will do everything she can to promote Samoa by working closely with the Samoa Tourism Authority, the community and the relevant government agencies.

When asked if she has ever been to American Samoa, she said that she had not but she was looking forward to visiting the territory when she competes in this year’s Miss South Pacific Pageant.

“I heard it’s a beautiful place and I can’t wait to see it,” she said. “And I also have some relatives there, the Ieli famiy in Aua, that I intend to visit.”

MISS SAMOA RESULTS:

Winner: Miss Thomsen’s Bridal Couture, Janine Nicky Tuivaiti

1stRunner Up: Miss Penina Day Spa, RezettaKahealani Eric Mulitalo

2ndRunner Up: Miss Lavashe Couture, Talosaga Tautai

3rdRunner Up: Miss La Lelei Sewing Shop, Le’emo Aoina Tupu

Consolation Prizes: Miss The Edge Cocktail Lounge, Miriama Fiu Aioese and Liss Treasure Island Gift Shop, Helena Darlene Ainu’u

National Tourism Award: Miss La Lelei Sewing Shop, Le’emo Aoina Tupu

Miss Personality: Miss The Edge Cocktail Lounge, Miriama Fiu Aloese.