LOS ANGELES/ AMERICAN SAMOA — Donato Fatuesi, a Faʻafafine storyteller, actress, and community organizer from American Samoa, has been named a finalist for Beast Games, a global competition series featuring contestants from around the world.

Currently based in Los Angeles, Fatuesi is representing American Samoa on an international stage — bringing visibility to Pacific Islander communities, and in particular, Queer and Trans Pacific Islander (QTPI) voices who are too often absent from mainstream media and entertainment.

Community support is central to who advances in the competition.

Public voting is now open for a limited time and can be accessed at beastgames.com/vote.

Voting is location- based; users will see contestants available in their region. Voting closes in 7 days.

“I’m doing this not just for myself — but for every young person back home who deserves to see themselves in spaces they’ve been told they don’t belong in,” Fatuesi says. “Our stories matter. Our presence matters. And I want our community to know I’m carrying them with me.”

Raised in American Samoa, Fatuesi’s work is deeply rooted in culture, identity, and the sacred relational practice of va — the Samoan concept of the relational space between people.

She is the creator and host of Island Fever Podcast, a Pasifika-centered storytelling platform fiscally sponsored by UTOPIA Washington, amplifying QTPI voices across media, culture, and community organizing. Her work spans podcast production, facilitation, nonprofit leadership, and advocacy, with a long history of grassroots organizing and executive-level community building.

“Being from American Samoa is my foundation. Everything I do carries my people, my culture, and my community with me. That’s never changed — no matter what stage I’m on.”

As voting continues, Fatuesi is calling on her community — locally and across the diaspora — to show their support.

“This opportunity means visibility — and visibility creates possibility. I want our people to feel proud seeing someone from home show up on a global stage. Every vote is a statement that we belong here.”

About Donato Fatuesi

Donato Fatuesi is a Faʻafafine storyteller, actress, community organizer, and creative strategist originally from American Samoa and based in Los Angeles. She is the producer and host of Island Fever Podcast, facilitator of the Real Talk Support Group through UTOPIA Washington, and a nonprofit leader with deep roots in grassroots Pacific Islander and QTPI advocacy. Her work centers the va — the sacred space between people — as both a cultural practice and a creative philosophy.

(Media Contact: Donato Fatuesi; hello@donatofatuesi.com; @dfatuesi)