Miss Hibiscus Melania Toraa, left, and Miss Samoa Litara Ieremia-Allan. Photo: Istagram/pacificapageant / Facebook/Miss Samoa Pageant
-An earlier version of this story said that Miss Hibiscus Melania Tora was Fiji's representative to Miss Pacific Islands pageant. That was incorrect. As winner of Suva's Miss Hibiscus, Tora qualified for the Miss Fiji Pageant in December, where the country's representative to the Miss Pacific Islands pageant will be chosen.
Samoa crowned its representative for the 2025 Miss Pacific Islands beauty pageant over the weekend, while Fiji's capital Suva crowned its representative for the Miss Fiji Pageant in December.
Litara Ieremaia-Allan, 24, was crowned Miss Samoa, in Apia, on Saturday.
Ieremaia-Allan joins Tonga's Racheal Guttenbeil (Miss Heilala), American Samoa's Pauliana Felise-Vitale, Rapa Nui's Nehe Nehe Pakomio Atan, Tahiti's Temanava Domingo, Solomon Islands' lsie Polosovai, Papua New Guinea's Tyla Singirok, and Kiribati's Kimberly Aromata for the Miss Pacific Islands Pageant which will be held from 28 January to 4 February next year.
While in Fiji, Melania Tora, as winner of Suva's Miss Hibiscus pageant, qualified for the Miss Fiji Pageant in December, where Fiji's representative to the Miss Pacific Islands pageant will be chosen.
The Cook Islands, which boasts eight previous Miss Pacific Islands winners, has missed the last two iterations of the Miss Pacific Islands, and are yet to confirm their participation.
The 2024 edition of event was held earlier this year in Nauru.
Left to right: Miss Solomon Islands, Miss Tonga, Miss American Samoa. Photo: Facebook / Miss Solomon Islands Pageant / Pacifica Pageant Community
Ieremia-Allan sweeps all major categories
Born and raised in New Zealand, Iremaia-Allan's frequent visits to Samoa throughout her childhood fostered a profound connection to her Samoan heritage.
Daughter of David Allan and Wanda Ieremia-Allan, and granddaughter of revered figures Reverend Lale Ieremia and Tifilelei Alama Ieremia, she has deep roots spanning multiple cultures and continents.
With heritage connected to the villages of Sapapalii, Fusi Safotulafai, Saoluafata, Lalomanu, Matautu Falealili, Vaie'e, Sinamoga, Pietermaritzburg South Africa, and Raasay Scotland, she carries a rich legacy of diversity and tradition.
She won all the major categories, claiming awards in every segment; including Best Sarong Wear, Best Coconut Demonstration, Best Siva Samoa, Best Talent, Best Traditional Wear, and Best Interview, except for the Puletasi category.
Her outstanding performance also earned her other awards such as Miss Photogenic and Miss Internet, showcasing her multifaceted talents and captivating presence.
The Miss Samoa pageant also recognised other outstanding contestants, including Brianna Fruean (first runner-up), Alaimalo Joanna Vasa (second runner-up), and Lydia Moananu (third runner-up).
Miss Samoa Litara Ieremia-Allan Photo: Facebook / Miss Samoa Pageant
Tora advocates for mental health
Miss Hibiscus Tora aims to be the loudest voice for mental health in her country.
Tora, who is from Natalau village in Sabeto Nadi, and has maternal links to Daliconi, Vanuabalavu, said providing safe spaces for people to talk and share about their issues is a great platform.
She said she always supports the value of family time and it is not just about spending time in the same room, but being present with one another emotionally, mentally and sharing food together.
She is hoping to establish a rehabilitation center in Fiji to provide free mental health care for the country's vulnerable population.
Her mum, Liliana Pareti Warid, said she acknowledged the effort shown by her daughter throughout the preparation and witnessing her daughter crowned Miss Hibiscus 2024 was a dream come true.
Miss Hibiscus 2024 Photo: Instagram / pacificapageant