Miss House Of Gold, Alexandra Iakopo Is The New Miss Samoa

Your new Miss Samoa is Alexandra Iakopo.
Miss House of Gold, Miss Alexandra Iakopo was crowned Miss Samoa 2017/2018 in a three hour long pageant at Gymnasium One last night. The 23 year old is a qualifications officer with the Samoa Qualifications Authority and holds a BA from the National University of Samoa.
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.
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
 

 
Miss Samoa Cheats Death Twice
Alexandra Iakopo cheated death twice to walk away last Saturday night as the 2017 McDonald’s Miss Samoa.
“It’s been a challenging journey for me and I thank the Lord Almighty for his grace which has given me the will and opportunity to stand before you today as your Miss Samoa,” says Alexandra as she acknowledged her Sponsor House of Gold, her parents as well as host of the pageant, the Samoa Events Incorporated at the prize giving Sunday to officially conclude the pageant events.
As a survivor of rheumatic fever, the 23-year old from Sapapalii, Fusi Safotulafai, Togafuafua and Moamoa had two life threatening heart surgeries in 2007 and 2011.
“I am convinced this is the reason why I survived and that is for me to represent and serve my country as their Miss Samoa,” added the Samoa Qualification Authority’s officer.
And her parents Deacon Isaako Iakopo and Mrs. Fagamalama are grateful for the Almighty’s blessings.

 
“We’re blessed to have her as a daughter and we’re thankful to our father in heaven for his divine love for our daughter,” said Deacon Iakopo.
“She is straight forward, no beating around the bush.”
For instance, as the second youngest of a family of one sister and three brothers, Deacon Iakopo says she is the only one of their five children that tells him off for smoking too much.
“She scolds me as if I’m her son and not her father,” says the proud father.
“She speaks her mind,” added Mrs. Iakopo.
“Alexandra is obedient and well disciplined. She is quite a character and she always knows when to push her father’s buttons. But we love her for her honesty and for respecting her elders and parents.”
Educated in Samoa and a graduate from the Colorado Monarch High School in California USA, as her parents who are devout Catholics move wherever the Church needs their services, the newly crowned Miss Samoa is ready for the unexpected.
“I have faced challenges that have strengthened my faith, eager to grow as an individual, serve and share my culture with the world, and contribute to the sustainable development of Samoa,” she says.
The new Miss Samoa vows to give it all her best to return the Miss Pacific crown to Apia in the upcoming pageant in Fiji.
Organized for the second year running by the Samoa Events Incorporated, SEI, the pageant was streamed live by Talamua Media and attracted over 6,000 viewers mainly from Australia, New Zealand and the United States.  An edited version of the video of the pageant will be available next Monday on www.talamua.com.
 
(Source: Talamua Online 10 September 2017)