Miss Global pageant is underway in Cambodia with the first-ever tama'ita'i Samoa to ever grace the international pageantry platform already making a bold statement on the first day of competition. 

Haylani Pearl Kuruppu, the former Miss Samoa and Miss Samoa Melbourne Australia, landed in Cambodia earlier this week, making a notable entrance during the presentation of the Miss Global 2023 sash ceremony on Tuesday night. 

Visual materials, including photos and video footage from the pageant, clearly depict Ms. Kuruppu as the distinctive contestant who stands out by wearing an island flower on her ear.

She graced the catwalk and then proceeded to greet everyone by saying "Talofa lava", the official way to say hello in Samoa. 

"I represent the heart of the Pacific, Samoa," Ms. Kuruppu said.  

"I am honoured, priviledged and blessed to be here, as this is the first time my country has sent a candidate to the global pageantry. 

"I am so happy to be here. I truly believe that I am here to empower women, especially my Samoan women that they can achieve absolutely anything in life. 

"I love taking on challenges, achieving and succeeding. Throughout my reign as Miss Samoa, I've been able to write a children's book to inspire the youth of Samoa that they can achieve anything in life if they put their minds to it. 

"I've also up-skilled my talent in contemporary dancing to now dance in the sky. I'm truly grateful for the blessings in my life, and I am thankful. 

"I stand here to aspire to be the next Miss Global because I want to amplify my advocacy on empowering women to be the best versions of themselves. 

"I hope and pray that this platform opens up doors of opportunities for my people, because I am proud and honoured to be the first but I don't want to be the last."

In a social media update from Cambodia, Ms. Kuruppu expressed gratitude and recognition to Vodafone Samoa for facilitating and sponsoring her participation in the Miss Global pageant. She acknowledged the opportunity to represent the country she holds dear with immense love and passion.

Ms. Kuruppu was Miss Samoa Melbourne 2022 and was crowned Miss Samoa 2022-2023. 

Upon relinquishing her Miss Samoa crown last September, she was appointed by Vodafone Samoa to represent Samoa at the Miss Global pageant. 

While Ms. Kuruppu admitted that she was reluctant at first, her heart and passion for serving her people and community convinced her to take up this challenge and represent Samoa on the world stage. 

"I'm proud to take Samoa to the world stage, the world needs to hear about the best island in the world in the heart of the Pacific. For me, it comes down to being an example for the future. 

"I'm so excited to do this because it's the first of many to come for the young girls in Samoa. Taking up this opportunity will prove that we can go beyond and represent our culture and heritage to the world. It's an encouragement for the young tama'ita'i Samoa living here and abroad. 

"For many years, pageantry in Samoa stops at the Pacific stage. It never gets further. It's always the Cook Islands that go further, it's only the New Caledonia that goes further, why can't Samoa? 

"This opens doors for girls and this is a great initiative from Vodafone Samoa for opening this opportunity to Samoan girls so we can show the world what Samoa is made of and to put our country's name on the map."

Ms. Kuruppu had completed training in Asia last month ahead of the pageant. 

This newspaper understands that there will be a team from Vodafone Samoa in Cambodia cheering and supporting Ms. Kuruppu throughout the pageant. 

The crowning is expected to take place on 18 January.