Former Miss Samoa Iliganoa signs off in emotional farewell

By Jeannie Penehuro /

Apia, SAMOA – 7 September 2026 – Outgoing Miss Samoa, Iliganoa Feagaimaalii Soti Mapu delivered an emotional farewell speech as she concluded her reign during last Saturday’s pageant.

Reflecting on her experience, Iliganoa spoke openly about not fitting the conventional image some people may have of a Miss Samoa.

“A significant truth I did not fit every conventional picture of what a Miss Samoa is expected to look like,” she said.

“I’m 5’3, not the tallest. I’m brown skin, not the fairest. I was born and raised in Samoa with little exposure and experience of the outside world.”

Iliganoa said Samoa, however, has never been defined by one face, complexion, body or type of woman.

“For too long, young women have been told how to look, how to speak, how much space to take up, sometimes even how quiet we must remain in the realm of humility,” she said.

“I have learned differently. There’s humility in speaking your truth. You can be respectful and still have a voice. You can be gracious and still have boundaries. You can honour your culture without making yourself smaller,” she added.

Iliganoa also described culture as a bridge rather than a boundary and said it served as her compass throughout her 10 months as Miss Samoa.

“In my experience as Miss Samoa, I’ve also come to a realisation that culture is a bridge not a boundary, my compass the past 10 months as I was crowned Miss Samoa, my culture was my compass,” she said.

She described strengthening her identity as a Samoan woman as her greatest accomplishment during her reign.

As she handed over the crown, Iliganoa expressed she was leaving the role with something more valuable than the title itself.

“I leave carrying something more valuable, a clearer understanding of who I am. The crown was borrowed, the title was temporary, but voice is mine, my roots are mine, my purpose remains,” she said.

Iliganoa concluded her farewell by acknowledging her former pageant sponsor, Paradise Finance, along with her parents, family and friends.

She then took the stage one final time as Miss Samoa, marking the end of her reign which she carried with honour and humility.