It’s been almost 15 years since the Miss Samoa USA pageant last took place. However, in 2024, this esteemed event made a grand return after a long hiatus. The Miss Samoa USA pageant was held on Thursday, August 1, 2024, at the Ahern Boutique Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. The revival of this prestigious event was spearheaded by Seiuli Malia Efferding and Tofuola Alofipo, both accomplished entrepreneurs and proud Samoan women. They envisioned the pageant as a transformative platform to highlight and uplift Samoan women in the USA. As co-founder Tofuola Alofipo shared,
“Bringing this back to life and getting it up and running again is our way of creating opportunities for this generation and paying it forward.”
The mission of the Miss Samoa USA pageant is to empower young Samoan women across the United States by offering a platform to showcase their talents, beauty, and cultural heritage. The pageant celebrates the rich traditions of Samoa while promoting personal growth, leadership skills, and self-confidence among the contestants. Through collaboration and inclusivity, it aims to foster cultural diversity and build a supportive community that uplifts and inspires young Samoan women. The goal is not only to crown a deserving ambassador but also to raise awareness of Samoan culture and traditions, promoting unity and respect among various cultures.
Above, we’re thrilled to introduce the five incredible contestants from this year’s pageant! We had the honor of speaking with these outstanding women to discover their favorite aspects of being a Samoan woman or tama’ita’i Samoa. For more highlights from each category and to see the contestants’ performances, visit our Instagram (@polynesianmusic) and explore the category updates. You can also rewatch the livestream on our Island City Media Facebook page.
“This means everything to me. I’m deeply grateful for my village’s love and support— this achievement belongs to them and to Samoa.”
– Josephina Lealaitafea on being crowned Miss Samoa USA 2024
Congratulations to Joey Lealaitafea for winning the title of Miss Samoa USA 2024! We also extend our heartfelt appreciation to all the contestants for their bravery and outstanding performances.
A special thanks to everyone who played a role in making this event possible: Anthea Aiono, pageant director; Jennifer Saena, co-director; Lina Solovi-Tapusoa, media director; Rolen Peterson-Tafi, judges’ director; and the fantastic hosts, Big Budah and Upumoni. Thanks to all the judges and the many helping hands involved. Congratulations to everyone, especially to Joey Lealaitafea, and best wishes for her reign!
