Miss Samoa Melbourne, Haylanni Pearl Mataupu Kuruppu, is not far off from completing her bachelor’s degree in physiotherapy at the Australian Catholic University.

She is contestant number 8 in the 2022 Vodafone Miss Samoa Pageant and is of mixed parentage from Colombo, Sri Lanka and Samoa.

At 24-years of age, Ms. Kuruppu has already ticked some personal boxes of her own, including being a recipient of honour that saw her undertake an 18-month volunteer mission in Japan, Nagoya and Melbourne, Australia as a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (L.D.S.) missionary. 

She is also passionate about fashion and is working at F45Gym as a group trainer as well as a youth worker supporting young children. 

“I love keeping my body healthy and participating in sports such as rugby sevens, basketball and touch rugby,” she said. 

“My purpose as a young tama’ita’i Samoa is to inspire the youth to be confident with their culture, to grow in knowledge about our roots and love who we are and what we can become.”

Asked what she would focus on if she won the Miss Samoa crown on Saturday night, Ms. Kuruppu pointed to health and the importance of creating awareness on healthy eating and food choices.

"I would basically focus on the health aspect of our people. As a Health Advocate in Melbourne, I would work on some health initiatives with the Government, targeting each district as a starting point to create awareness on how we can stay healthy by focusing on our food consumption firstly and then different programs going forward," she said. 

She also acknowledged the support of Miss Samoa Melbourne Australia Inc. and her team in Samoa and Melbourne.

“They all have been instrumental in my journey and helped me in so many ways to get here.

“Also to my mum and families here in Samoa I’m blessed with this opportunity and I thank Directors Pulotu Canada McCarthy and Aumua McCarthy.” 

With the 2022 Miss Samoa Pageant and its activities coinciding with the country’s 60th Independence anniversary celebration, she wished all citizens well and happy celebrations.

"It's been a long time coming but it's finally here for all of us to enjoy. Let the celebration continue! Happy 60th anniversary to our independent nation. God bless Samoa.”