'Triumph for our entire nation': Beauty queen Haylani Kuruppu brings recognition to Samoa

[author:tiana_haxton]

Samoan beauty queen Haylani Kuruppu made pageantry history by securing 1st runner-up at the recent Miss Global competition in Vietnam.

This is the highest placing a Pasifika contestant has reached in the international pageant.

The 25-year-old was among 83 contestants vying for the crown.

Kuruppu came second to Miss Puerto Rico, Ashley Melendez.

Haylani is no stranger to the pageant world as it was in 2022 when she was the titleholder for the nationally recognised 'Miss Samoa'.

However, her participation in the Miss Global international competition makes her the first Samoan representative ever.

Entering a Samoan candidate for the Miss Global competition was met with reluctance from the Samoan government but Kuruppu's achievement of earning a high placing has made her people proud.

She returned home over the weekend and a special meet and greet was organised by her major sponsor Vodafone Samoa.

She expressed her pride at being able to come home victorious.

"I proudly stand here, honoured to have made history in the world of pageantry."

"While the title of first runner-up is an incredible honour, it signifies something more profound, a testament to the strength and beauty of Samoa."

Kuruppu said she entered the pageant as an ordinary individual and emerged as extraordinary.

She dedicated her success to the immense support from the island community, saying "this journey has been a milestone for our Samoan community, this is our victory."

Samoa's finance minister Mulipola Anarosa Ale Molioo thanked Kuruppu for her passionate representation of the island nation.

Molioo said the beauty queen brought honour and recognition to Samoa, saying she "has been nothing short of inspiring".

"This achievement is not just a personal victory for Miss Global Samoa, it is a triumph for our entire nation, a testament to the resilience, grace and talent that embodies the spirit of Samoa."

Molioo said her story will inspire the upcoming generation of Samoan women to chase their dreams.

"The broader impact that her achievement has had on our nation serves as a beacon of hope, an inspiration for all our young girls, reminding them that with hard work, they too can achieve their dreams and aspirations."

'We can make waves'

Kuruppu hopes her success will inspire future generations to "pursue their dreams fearlessly".

She invites Samoan women to take on the challenge of representing their country on an international stage.

"From the shores of Samoa, we can make waves that echo across the world."

"Together, we've marked a milestone and I'm confident that this is only the beginning."

Haylani Kuruppu's ranking at the Miss Global Pageant is an historic achievement not only for Samoa, but for the entire Pacific.