Beauty with a Purpose
Auckland Samoa Fa'afafine Association Beauty Pageant - More than just a Fa'afafine beauty pageant - it is Beauty with a purpose.
Phylesha Brown-Acton, a former winner of two national and one international beauty pageants, explores the Miss Auckland Samoa Fa’afafine Association Beauty Pageant and unearths a support system that provides kinship and solidarity.
Phylesha Brown-Acton (2nd from left, who was Miss Le Penina 1997, Miss Gardenia NZ 1999 & Miss Galaxy 2003) with Miss Queen of Queens 1997 Freda Waterhouse (Far Left), Miss ASFA 2015 Jessica Hunt Auva'a (Middle), Miss Samoa Fa'afafine 2015/16 Steva Auina (2nd from right) and Miss Universal Show Queen 2006 Cocoa Chandelier
It was deja vu for me, 13 years after the last beauty pageant I had won at the Vodafone Events Centre in Manukau – it seemed all too familiar.
It bustled like a chaotic domestic airport, suitcases being wheeled in, high heels clanking against the cement floor, large costume boxes carted here and there, chaperones rushing to changing rooms from the car park, collecting endless items for contestants backstage, the energy and vibe of competition high. At front of house, people queuing in a line that seemed endless, selfies galore, chatter, laughter and excitement filled the air. In the main auditorium, the stage set and decorated, seats allocated for 400 people, organisers frantically applying the last minute touches before the doors open, anxiety ripe. A sold out event, the pageant being an event strongly supported by Auckland's Samoan and Pasifika communities.
Backstage prep with the contestants
Rewind 29 years and Fa'afafine beauty pageants were situated in tiny nightclubs throughout Auckland, the emphasis always on humour and entertainment. Contestants had to contend with smaller stages, limited audience numbers, no social media, smoke filled venues, handmade tiaras and an event rarely covered by media.
Recently fa’afafine beauty pageants in Auckland have dwindled in popularity seeing a decline in the early 2000’s. There were questions raised with night club/bar owners about the profits benefitting their own establishments and not the interests of the fa’afafine community.
The pageant last Saturday night is one that is building momentum by the ASFA as a way to positively showcase its fa’afafine community, provide opportunities and develop initiatives that have been led & grown by fa’afafine, for fa’afafine.
Miss Queen of Queens 1987-88, Freeda Waterhouse (Aucklands 1st Fa'afafine winner) & Miss Samoa Fa’afafine 2015-16, Steva Auina.
Show time kicks off, the audience erupts into a furore, contestants are beautiful, glamourous and confident, costumes and gowns are show stoppers and the programme runs to a tight schedule led by mistress of ceremonies Miss Tara Apa.
The pageant theme being "Beauty with a purpose" encourages contestants to bring more to the stage than just humour, it was very clear that the contestants had solid platforms, all representing strong messages about their pride in being fa'afafine & sending messages to community about their existence, their voice and visibility.
"The reason I entered Miss Auckland Samoa Fa'afafine Association Beauty Pageant was because I wanted to experience what a beauty pageant was like & participate in a community event to represent my family and myself" says 27 yr old Jessica Hunt-Auva'a, an Auckland Samoan proudly representing the villages of Vaitele, Falealupo, Lotofaga and Vaitoloa and sponsored by the Kweenz Maine Dance Group.
The Kweenz Maine Dance group is a cohort of Fa'afafine members formed in high school by likeminded students as a result of experiencing bullying. The establishment of the group provided its members confidence and safety in numbers as well as a voice to pressure the schools senior management team into addressing the issues they were confronted with bringing about change. This resulted in ending bullying & also reconnected broken relationships with peers who viewed them negatively.
Kweenz Maine members performing at a community function
Their advocacy from the school yard 10 years ago continues to be the group’s mantra, to always stand in solidarity with one another to bring about positive change for all Fa'afafine. Since the inception of the Miss ASFA, both the winners have come from the Kweenz group.
Upon discussion with Kweenz members it was apparent there were similar parallels in their daily lives such as stigma, discrimination, negative stereotypes, bullying, social issues, religion opposing fa’afafine, cultural values & beliefs that minimise fa’afafine, relationship issues and difficulty navigating or finding appropriate support services.
Kweenz Maine Dance Group members, 1st and 2nd ASFA Beauty Pageant title holders.
Jessica a retail manager in one of Auckland's busiest shopping malls, was asked about her experience in the pageant
"Prior to the pageant, I knew it wasn't going to be easy but my journey has been amazing! The stress, tears and hard work was definitely worth it. At times it would have been easier to just give up but then I remembered why I was doing it so I persevered and continued. The reality of beauty pageantry isn't all about the glitz and glamour as everyone assumes it to be but it's the mental and physical preparation you have to be ready for, focus first then action.
During this journey, I've discovered things about myself I didn't know I was capable of and that is the beauty of taking risks and putting yourself on the line, I am so thankful though for the amazing support system that has surrounded me during my preparations”.
Miss Auckland Samoa Fa’afafine Association 2016, Jessica Hunt Auva’a with Kweenz Maine Dance Group President, Jaroncye Lole.
In reflection I’ve been reminded why I, many moons ago contemplated a beauty pageant as a way to gain support from others and to feel a connected kinship with my fa’afafine sisters and brothers. It is this type of support system that continues to operate via beauty pageants for fa’afafine, that grow others, makes them feel included, embraced and supported.
A Fa’afafine pageant is a great platform to show we exist in the community, the more numbers, the stronger our voice will be heard. It is an opportunity for everyone to shine, discover themselves and break down stereotypes.
My advice to any fa’afafine wishing to be a future Miss ASFA is always remember to be you and always carry your family in your heart and mind. Do it for the right reasons and not for celebrity status. Stay humble and believe you can do it, train your mind to focus on the bigger picture which is always to be proud of who you are and that you are an example to other fa’afafine around you. With the Lord on your side, anything is possible.
Be you, live your life fearlessly and dance to the beat of your own drum. Know that you are never alone and that nothing is preventing you from succeeding in life but yourself, don’t be your own enemy, grow and live”.
And these are words from a person that has been embraced and nurtured by a school support group developed by fa’afafine peers, entered a beauty pageant developed by fa’afafine for fa’afafine, holds family as central to her being and is now an ambassador that can only further advocate for fa’afafine at higher levels.
I am most proud that fa’afafine of today are using lessons learned from past beauty pageants, taking charge of developing their own support systems and reinventing their own initiatives. The theme 'Beauty with a Purpose' reinforces a positive message by fa’afafine, it shifts the focus from being laughed at, to being celebrated and that there is no longer this comedic expectation imposed by community on them anymore.
Congratulations to all contestants, you are all winners in the big picture.
Photo Credits: Cocoa Chandelier, Jessica Hunt-Auva'a, Steva Auina