Miss Samoa Universe, Haylani Pearl Kuruppu, has concluded her participation in this year's Miss Universe competition without advancing to the top 30. 

Despite the setback, Kuruppu’s performance at the prestigious event in Mexico marks a significant milestone for Samoa, as it represented the country’s return to the global pageantry stage after nearly four decades.

Kuruppu was crowned Miss Universe Samoa in September 2024. She captivated millions of viewers worldwide as she graced the stage, embodying the character of Princess Moana of Motunui. 

Her appearance not only highlighted her beauty and poise but also carried a powerful message of pride and cultural representation. Samoans around the world rooted for her and commended her for her courage and bravery to walk on such a big stage in terms of pageantry. 

"I carry the heart of Samoa with me," Kuruppu said during her final moments on stage, a sentiment that resonated deeply with Samoans both at home and abroad. 

"Thank you, Samoa, for being my foundation, my source of inspiration. This is for you, our past, our present, and the bright future ahead." 

Throughout the competition, Kuruppu remained grateful for the unwavering support of her people, acknowledging the strength of the Samoan community that stood by her every step of the way. 

"I poured my heart into every moment and gave it my very best, hoping to make you all proud," she shared. "Representing our beautiful island on this stage has been the greatest honour of my life. Thank you for making this experience truly unforgettable. This is as much your journey as it is mine."

Though she did not make it to the final rounds, Kuruppu’s journey in the Miss Universe pageant was a historic one.

She became the first Samoan to hold five major titles and crowns, a remarkable feat that places her in the record books as a trailblazer in Samoan pageantry. Her accomplishments began in 2022 when she was crowned Miss Samoa Melbourne, and she quickly rose to prominence by winning the Miss Samoa title later that same year. 

Her successes did not stop there. In 2023, she made waves on the international stage by being crowned Miss Global Samoa and earning a remarkable second-place finish at the Miss Global competition. That same year, she was also named Miss Vice Global 2023 and was the first runner-up at the Miss Pacific Islands competition, further solidifying her status as one of the Pacific's most celebrated beauty queens.

Meanwhile, the new Miss Universe, crowned on Sunday evening, is Miss Universe Denmark, who triumphed in a competition that saw contestants from around the globe vying for the coveted title.