WOMEN OF THE ISLANDS - SELA FALETOLU-FASI

Sela Faletolu-Fasi is a passionate artist, storyteller, and advocate from Christchurch, New Zealand, with roots in Samoa and Tonga.

Her work, particularly "Love; Mum" draws deeply from her personal struggles and triumphs, offering a heartfelt exploration of motherhood, love, forgiveness, and the healing power of sisterhood. 

After a sold-out developmental season in Ōtautahi Christchurch, Love; Mum is currently showing this week at Auckland's The Basement Theatre! We caught up with Writer and Actor Sela Faletolu-Fasi about her work and current show!

Malo Lava Sela - could you please introduce yourself and where you're from?

Talofa lava, my name is Sela Faletolu-Fasi. I am the daughter of the late Reverend Lapana Faletolu (Fasito'outa, Samoa), and Salote Lasei (Fasi Moe Afi, Tonga). I am married to Silivelio Fasi and mum to six beautiful children, Favor (22), Victory (20), Princeton (18), Mercedes (14), Auteletoa (10) and Lapana (7) and we live in Christchurch.

Tell us about Love: Mum - what was the inspiration behind it?

Love; Mum was inspired by a goodbye letter I wrote to my six children in 2023. It was a really difficult time in my life, but I woke up the next morning knowing my children would never thank me for it and spent 14 hours writing the first draft of Love; Mum. The story follows five Pacific women - Joy, Finau, Racheal, Judah, and Lalelei - who meet at Mums Anonymous, a self-help group for new mothers.

Together, they confront their individual struggles - abusive relationships, career pressures, insecurities, and anxiety - and form a sisterhood that becomes their safe place and support system. Through laughter, tears, and confrontations, they discover that love and forgiveness have the power to heal the deepest of wounds – even if it takes a long time. Each character represents a different part of me and my story and writing it was a way to way to use creativity as a pathway towards healing and transformation.

What was your journey like into the Arts?

Like most people, it’s been a long and challenging journey, balancing motherhood and having to hold full time jobs to look after my family while trying to pursue my creative passions all at the same time. It’s a common story for many artists, I guess. And though it would be so much easier to just let it go, I can’t. The arts nourish my soul and connects me to others in a way that I believe only art can in a truly deep and meaningful way. I’ve also been so blessed to have incredible people who have supported my career and opened so many doors for me. In particular, my amazing ‘creative parents’, Pos Mavaega and Tanya Muagututi’a from Pacific Underground and the incredible creative genius that is, Victor Rodger.

What inspires you to create?

I guess the question is probably more, what doesn’t inspire me to create. I would call myself more of a storyteller than a theatre maker. I love to share stories and connect with other people through their stories. I feel like I’m inspired by the big things in life that I have overcome or have seen other people overcome as well as the smallest conversations or interactions that I have had. If I had to put it in one word, I guess it would be EVERYTHING lol.

What do you want your audience to take from Love: Mum

Hope, the power of forgiveness and love and for people to know that in their deepest pain and struggle, that they are not alone.

What advice do you have for other young, brown artists who want to create?

Dive in deep and go all in while you are still young, before the weight of responsibilities that come with life start to grow and you are having to juggle that with your creative passions. Surround yourself with people who believe in your dreams and cheer you on, especially when doubt starts to creep in or when things are hard. And always stay true to who you are and why you started this journey of creativity. My late Dad used to say, “Ignite your passions, but do not burn your values in doing so.” Wise words from a wise man.

What are some challenges you have had to overcome as a Samoan woman, in your journey as an artist/youth advocate?

I guess as a Pacific woman, the feeling of having to hold everything together and to be everything to everyone. It’s taken me a long time to understand that it’s ok to say no. It’s ok to have boundaries. It’s ok to tell people when you feel uncomfortable or disrespected. And that you can’t be anything to anyone if you can’t even love and respect yourself. That is what I want most for my children, and especially my daughters. That they would love others, but first truly love themselves.

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Love; Mum is currently showing at The Basement Theatre until the 29th March, ticket information here!