Miss Pacific Islands Litara Ieremia-Allan believes that the contestants showed their true selves, the reason why they were united despite the controversy surrounding her crowning as the Miss Pacific Island last weekend. 

In a press conference on Friday evening, Litara shared the moments when she was announced as the new Miss Pacific Island. 

"It feels surreal. But an overwhelming sense of gratitude. It's one thing to win but it's another thing to win knowing that you have your people behind you. I think throughout the week, we were just moved by the support," she said. 

"Feeling excited about the 12 months ahead. I'm excited to see how the platform will change and grow for the next woman to be crowned. But grateful, excited, and definitely surreal.

"I think our people needed us to be real. They need us to acknowledge the trials and the good times. Something that kept us together was we were real together. There were no walls we were just honest, and real positive with each other and so I pray and hope that it will continue to the next year and the respective areas they pursue."

Litara said the crowning was not something she sees as her win. She said it was about the wider Pasifika. 

"I hope that our message as contestants collectively is that our collective sisterhood always outshines any negativity. I think that one thing we can all look to is the excitement, the hope of our youth is it can get us through anything. I know it's been trouble sometimes for those reading some hurtful comments, but it's time that the light shines even brighter," she said. 

"My message is that all love. Every girl shared everything that they could on that platform and I think that each country deserves that acknowledgement. The girl that they sent, they did them proud."

One of the challenges that she faced on her journey in vying for the title was self-doubt.

"As a tamaitai Samoa, and as a Pacific woman, sometimes we are our limit. The way we view ourselves, our potential, a lot of times people can see more of our potential than we can," she said

"Overcoming that challenge requires believing in what people believe about you. But for you to realise it yourself before you go on stage is so important. A lot of times before the pageant, I always thought am I the right person? Did they choose the right girl? 

"The message I want to send to any girl is trust that if God puts you on a platform in a position, you are the right person. I mean your people, your family will tell you, you're not the right person but I think that's why the environment that you are in is so important. 

"My team uplifted me through prayers and encouragement. It's a testament to positivity. If we can speak positively to our young girls, to believe in their potential then who knows the sky is the limit. I know I never envisioned this for myself but it is because of the environment I grew up in that I realised my potential."

She encouraged young women to use the pageants as a platform to raise awareness.

"Your relationship with God, your devotion to him should always be at the forefront. I'm humbled that our team trusted me to represent them and I don't take that lightly," she said. 

"But I always felt like I was led by God, and I want to share that with the other girls who might be looking at taking up this platform. No matter what anybody else says, the audience of one is what matters. 

"Doing it for the Lord, and knowing that between you and him, you have done what you have set up to do, is the utmost fulfillment."