Girl from Savai’i wins Miss Samoa

By Aruna Lolani , 10 September 2017

Your new Miss Samoa 2017-2018

Your new Miss Samoa is Alexandra Iakopo.

The 23-year-old from Sapapali’i, Fusi Safotulafai and Moamoa was crowned during the finale of the McDonald’s Miss Samoa Pageant at Gym 1 last night.

She takes over from former Miss Samoa, Pricilla Olano.

The crowning capped off an amazing run by the Miss House of Gold who nearly did not enter the Pageant because she thought she was not good enough.

“I only became part of this pageant because my sponsor really pushed me to run but I thought to myself that I wasn’t fit for Miss Samoa,” she said.

“I had been praying to God to give me the courage. I finally mustered enough courage to enter and to be crowned tonight is an absolutely amazing feeling.

“It’s an honour to be the Miss Samoa. The feeling has yet to sink in but I promise that I will do my best to represent Samoa well.

“Thank you Samoa. You’ve challenged me, you’ve motivated me and tonight I am so humbled and grateful. I can also now say ‘e le ma’i teine Savai’i’.”

Ms. Iakopo’s success was hardly surprising. She continued to impress the judges after a stellar performance at the pre-pageant interviews.

Last night, she wowed the Head of State, His Highness Tuimaleali’ifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II, Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi and the vocal audience with one of the best talents ever seen at the Pageant.

Her response to a question about the importance of education also won her the best interview. And when she secured all those categories, it was inevitable that she would be the new Miss Samoa.

She was in tears as she was congratulated by her families and supporters.

“There’s no greater feeling than feeling blessed,” she said.

“I am thankful to God for this and I just want to give thanks to all my families especially to my sponsor for giving me this opportunity.”

Ms. Iakopo is the second youngest in a family of three brothers and one sister. Her parents are Deacon Isaako Iakopo and Fagamalama Iakopo.

Educated in Samoa and a graduate from the Colorado Monarch High School in California U.S.A, she is a devout Catholic.

Now armed with a Bachelor of Arts from the National University of Samoa, Alexandra started as a hotel receptionist before taking up N.U.S studies where she did an internship with the N.U.S Governance Policy Planning Unit and as a Support Officer with the House Disability Division with the Australian High Commission.

YOUR NEW MISS SAMOA: She nearly didn’t enter the Miss Samoa Pageant because she thought she was not good enough. Last night, Miss House of Gold, Alexandra Iakopo, was crowned Miss Samoa 2017/2018.
ALL WINNERS: The contestants of the Miss Samoa pageant with the new Miss Samoa at the pageant's finale last night.

YOUR NEW MISS SAMOA: She nearly didn’t enter the Miss Samoa Pageant because she thought she was not good enough. Last night, Miss House of Gold, Alexandra Iakopo, was crowned Miss Samoa 2017/2018.
RESULTS:

Best Sarong: Miss Samoa N.S.W. (Sydney) Fasi Faitafa Talimatasi Liolevave

Best Talent: Miss House of Gold Alexandra Iakopo

Best Traditional Wear: Miss Samoa Victoria Inc. Adele Faaosofia

Best Puletasi: Miss Samoa Victoria Inc. Adele Faaosofia

Best interview: Miss House of Gold Alexandra Iakopo

Miss Personality: Miss House of Gold Alexandra Iakopo

Miss Photogenic: Miss E.M.D. (Events Marketing and Distribution) Karameli Oriana Schuster.

Miss Internet: Miss E.M.D. Karameli Oriana Schuster

Miss National Tourism: Miss Original Style Natasha Darryl

4th runner up: Miss Samoa New Zealand Natalie Leitulagi Toevai

3rd runner up: Miss TAPZ Fashion Naitosala Jane Schuster

2nd runner up: Miss Samoa Victoria Inc. Adele Faaosofia

1st runner up: Miss Samoa N.S.W. Fasi Faitafa Talimatasi Liolevave

Winner of Miss Samoa 2017: Miss House of Gold Alexandra Iakopo

http://samoaobserver.ws/en/10_09_2017/local/24141/Girl-from-Savai%E2%80%99i-wins-Miss-Samoa.htm