First ever Australian entrant to compete for global third gender beauty pageant

First ever Australian entrant to compete for global third gender beauty pageant
Image: Ella Collins, winner of Miss Fa’afafine Australia 2015, Sydney (PHOTO: Benedict Brook; Star Observer)

THE first-ever Australian beauty pageant celebrating Samoa’s fa’afafine third gender was held in Sydney last weekend with the winner now set to compete for the global crown.

Before a crowd of around 300 people, including Australian and Samoan politicians, Ella Collins from Merrylands in western Sydney beat four other contestants to become the inaugural holder of the Miss Fa’afafine Australia title.

[showads ad=MREC]Next month, she will head to the Samoan capital Apia as the first-ever representative of Australia in the finals of the Miss Fa’afafine International contest – one of the highlights on the Pacific island nation’s cultural calendar.

In her acceptance speech, Collins said she hoped her victory would be a positive example to young trans* people.

Fa’afafine, which in Samoan means “in the manner of women” are biologically male but express female gender identities.

However, fa’afafine – who are also a feature of other Pacific island cultures – generally do not identify as being either male or female but rather are regarded and accepted as a distinct gender.

Last Saturday’s event, held at the Croatian Club in Punchbowl in south western Sydney, was attended by senior members of the Australian-Samoan community as well as the East Hills state Liberal MP Glenn Brookes and City of Sydney Liberal councillor Christine Forster.

Miss Fa’afafine Australia 2015, Sydney (PHOTO: Benedict Brook; Star Observer)
Some of the contestants at the Miss Fa’afafine Australia 2015, Sydney (PHOTO: Benedict Brook; Star Observer)

The Samoan Consul General Fonoti Manogiamanu Etuale Ioane, who opened the competition, praised the role played by fa’afafine in Samoan society.

“Tonight is not only a showcase of fa’afafine’s talents as designers, artists, singers, dancers, waiters, housewives, househusbands and many, many more but most importantly for Samoans here and afar to promote our awareness that fa’afafine’s were created in the image of god,” Ioane said.

“They may opt to wear clothes that declare your attention but bear in mind it is not the dress or the outfit you may see on the outside, it is the inner self that determines their personality.”

The pageant mixed elements of a standard beauty contest, such as swimwear and talent heats, as well as traditional elements including a round where each contestant performed a Samoa Siva dance on stage surrounded by family and supporters.

Costumes ranged from elegant evening wear to outlandish creations including a dress based on the Sydney skyline – complete with Harbour Bridge and Opera House – and a costume with giant golden wings echoing Cleopatra’s Egypt.

Miss Fa’afafine Australia 2015, Sydney (PHOTO: Benedict Brook; Star Observer)
Miss Fa’afafine Australia 2015 contestant Miss Gold Mine, Sydney (PHOTO: Benedict Brook; Star Observer)

 

Collins’ routine caught the judge’s eye for it’s high-energy mix of Beyonce and Samoan war dancing.

Talking to the Star Observer, Collins said her win was a dream come true.

“At the end of the day, I just wanted to be myself and the crowd really responded so I’m feeling blessed, I’ve never felt better,” she said.

Asked what she hoped the message of her win would be, Collins said: “I’m just all about saving lives and knowing there is a high suicide rate among transgenders I want to be an advocate to stop that and bring awareness to help those kids.”

She added it was back to the drawing board for her routine so she could ensure she had the best show possible for her upcoming appointment in Apia.

“I’m ready to do Australia proud,” she said.

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9 responses to “First ever Australian entrant to compete for global third gender beauty pageant”

  1. Why is everyone attacking Sasha for, Is it because she had the balls to say what the rest of the contestants and families were thinking, CHACHA your a joke. and your rude and mean. why so defensive for?

    Its not about being ungrateful, its about being fair, its rude of you to twist this around on the contestant, especially when you probably know deep down that she may be right,

    I want to see these rules and guidelines as well- hope you can walk the walk…

  2. Miss CHACHA

    I would love to see the registration forms and the rules and guidelines you gave to these girls, because I would like some clarification and justification as well.

    This is not coming from jealously or hatred, I believe that some people felt ripped in certain categories, and I for one can honestly say that in some parts of this competition it hard not to fill ripped.

    Correct me if Im wrong but did the organiser hand out rules of what they expected and what they wanted from the girls that night? For e.g. Was there certain rules that said no island themes costumes/ dances were to be bought to the table. That theme was sky is the limit, so you had to go big or go home?

    What I would like to know that if you do set these rules and guidelines, why weren’t they passed on to your esteemed judges? Because if they were rules that were strictly given, 3 of your girls should have been disqualified, Ella included for her beyonce/ samoan war dance no..

    Put aside the negativity the night was successful, but I hope you understand that for those who did follow the rules and get nothing in return, they are not being sore losers or acting out because they are jealous like you have so called accused Sasha of being. They want answers, I want answers. and it would be lovely for you to answer them ..

    Miss Chacha You may have noticed that no one has made a comment about Ella and her not deserving to win. Because she was outstanding on the night.. so I don’t believe that anyone is jealous of her winning so please stop trying to make it out like the rest of the contestants re having a sook. Because I think you know deep down that is clearly not the case.

  3. I had the best time at this function. First island function i have enjoyed.
    Well done to the team and also girls. Good luck Miss faafafine Australia 2015 make us proud in Samoa. Choohooo ua ova tele le au mea lotoleaga. Soia le isuisu. Toateletele le au mea lotoleaga. Soia le Jello.

  4. Talofa and greetings

    Just to let all know i was one of the orgainisers.

    Its ashamed that all these negative comment up in here but thats ok. Negative comments always motivate us.

    1. Criteria were all in black and white and terms n conditions were bold. All paper work like rego forms were common sealed.
    2. I dont understand why we are pointing fingers and saying we changed dis an that we never changed any criterias from the start and the beginning. all registrations paper work were signed off by each contestants. If u would like i can post all rego forms.
    3. No one in the pageant committee, even lau samoa committee knew who the judges were. All judges were revealed on the night. The president and secretary of lau samoa were the only 2 ppl on the committe who have selected the judges and scrutineer panel. Every judge is different we all dont think alike.
    4. Our pageant team was a tight committee to be honest we have never orgainise a pageant before apart for one of the members. We knew this was the first and tough, But we gave it our best. Its ashamed that one or two of the contestant has run their mouth like a motor, abusing and throw accusation to the committee. We r not perfect we worked tireless nights putting the pageant together. Be greatful n support we gave it our best shot.
    5. Lau samoa council has done very well in supporting the samoa LGBTS, they have opened doors for us.

    SASHA JUST TO LET YOU KNOW THIS PAGEANT WAS ORGANISE HONESTLY IN ALL WAYS. THEIR WERE NO HIDDEN AGENDAS. WE HAD EVERY THING IN BLACK N WHITE AND WE DIDNT HIDE ANYTHING FROM ANYONE.
    sasha please stop damaging lau samoa name, they did nothing wrong. Lau samoa has fulfilled everything for us. Please stop the nonsense.
    You should be thankful Sasha u havent be revealed of the truth about ur hidden agenda. Please back off n stop. Im happy to chat on everything even in black and white. We have no hidden agenda like u thank u so much.

    6. On sunday the day after the pageant Lau Samoa hosted a dinner for all committee, contestant, volunteers. The president acknowledge and thank every one for the amazing effort, even friday night before the pageant the President extended how greatful he was for all u girls, also thanking Miss Perth Goldmine for travelling afar. What more do u want. Its sounds like some of u are very ungreatful and have alot of hate. Pls understand lau samoa funded everything for u, outing, dinner etc please think and be mindful. #peace

  5. OK Apelila Mika!

    I wasnt there to win!
    we were all there to spread awareness and promote the same message and respect.

    Why would i be jealous? Ella deserved her recognition. We just followed what we were told. That’s it! We all supported eachother, and we were not all properly supported from the pageant organizers.
    We brought the best within ourselves’.

    I’m so happy for Ella because at the end of our pageant journey, we all expected her to win, even though we, the sisterhood, all knew that the going about it was never ever, “black and white!”

    All the best to you Queen Ella. Youre gonna kill it.

    Entry prize money was $200. Only 2 out of the 5 contestants that night had paid so they were then refunded, because none of the other girls were told until the last minute.
    Does that clarify your inappropriate question?

    PJ had told Miss. Perth not to worry about her entry fee and that he would “fix it up.”

    And don’t even talk about the entry fee because Miss. Gold Mine spent more than $8,000 for her preperations.
    And she left with nothing.
    Not even a present from Lau Samoa for coming all this way.

    At the end of the day. I am thankful and so proud for the opportunities that were given to me. I will never be able to thank for the love and support that I got from My Faafafine Sisters.

    We ran that stage and we will run the world. Through the love and respect we have, not just for Samoa, but for our humanity and to spread our message through understanding and acceptance.

    GOD WILLING!!!

    We’re not perfect, we all had our own trials and tribulations during our experience and my sisters were always my positive reinforcement!

    Thank you and Good Night.
    Love always Ms. Sasha von Carter.

  6. I attended the pageant on the night. This night was a great night. I dont understand where this is coming from. Can i say are you jealous you didnt win Sasha.

    The night was beautiful and the judges i have to say i take my hat of to the council for the judges. The best of the best.

    Lau Samoa executive was only the background. The pageant team was from Lau Samoa as well. Great night. Sometimes we need to control and watch what we say. You should be greatful for the excellent night can i ask Sasha how much did you pay for entry?.

    I was shocked at the prize money and prizes well done for lifting and making us samoan proud.

  7. I was there that night, with my partner and was very eager to watch this show. It was a bit pricey at $50 a ticket to just watch a show, but after a few beers I got over spending $100 to sit on a table with random strangers and the show started.

    It was a good show, and all the contestant did amazing, however from the very first item, the contestants opening kylie Minogue number and their siva samoa, You can tell who the organisers wanted to win and that was contestant no 4. How do I know this? The spotlight followed her throughout most of the performances. If you want someone to win, you would make sure the attention and the emphasis aka the spotlight is on that one contestant. Cutos to the person in charge who try to make is as subtle as possible, however failed at the subtlety when the spotlight followed her even when she was standing behind contestant no 5.

    Now I say all this to prove a point, Im not saying that Ella did not deserve to win, because she brought her A game and performed consistently throughout the night. What im saying is that a competition like this is never fair. The downside about our samoan community is that, for most competitions its about who you know, and not what you bring to the table. In my honest opinion, the 2 creative wear that got my attention was miss Gold mines reincarnation of Cleopatra and miss sashas inspiration of the great barrier reef, the colours used on both costumes were epic. I believe swimwear was next, if it was judged by the competitions theme, sky is the limit then I would choose miss sasha’s outfit again.- if I remember correctly the talent portion contestant no1 had the crazy yet hilarious rendition of the lion king / belly dancing performance, with outstanding backup dancers, which was different to the typical beyonce inspired hit and for evening wear- the harbour bridge dress and the sparkly gold dress was definitely the best 2 dresses.
    Now correct me if Im wrong, but I don’t believe any of the contestants I mentioned above won any thing in any of the categoies. Which makes me soo confused.. you want these girls to be accepted and treated equally however.. the organisers don’t have the decency to do the same?
    You know what is really sad, is that I bet that these girls are absolutely amazing and ooze personality, it’s a bit of a pity that the organisers didn’t believe in their favourite enough to make it a fair competition.
    I wish Ella all the best in Samoa, and hope that if the organisers decide to do this again next year, they may even out the playing field and they show little more respect to all contestants competing.

  8. Oh alrighty then!
    I’m Sasha von Carter. The runner up!
    It is what it is Maxwell. I can totally understand where you are coming from and i would be lieing if i said we werent shocked at some of the things that happened on and during the week of our pageant experience.
    You’re right this article is purely one sided, but we all brought our best best on the night. And its because of the five contestants that made the event a success.

    You mentioned my sister, Miss. Gold Mine did not get the recognition she deserved. After meeting and knowing her and recieving more support from her and my fellow contestants, we formed a sisterhood and bonded, i agreed when you wrote the words, “unprofessional.”
    Fact!
    There were a lot of miscommunication and I truly hope that next year they’ll learn from all the unneccassarry mistakes that happened and should have been avoided to make the experience more enjoyable and make that “criteria” understood!

    Instead of no communicating and always chopping and changing at the last minute.

    Too many chiefs. Not enough Indians.

    All in all. I was happy to have been a part of it, because it brought me unbreakable friendships through my sisters and I strive now to be an active voice for my transister fair treatment and respect.

    Don’t be so angry. We were all winners.
    We all gained and lost something from our experiences

  9. Wow! I was really impressed with the contestants and I commend their bravery.

    But what you forgot to mention and what you weren’t told, Star Observer.
    Is of the unprofessionalism, unfairness and misconduct these beauty pageant contestants had gone through.

    From changes in the criteria, the juding was bias and unfair for all involved.

    Why havent you depicted the winning creations and misquoted other contestants in this article.

    I find this article misinformed and quite offensive.

    La’u Samoa Association should be embarrassed and should reimburse all contestants for the treatment and misconduct they receive during their experience.

    For example. The Gold Goddess depicted in your article had the best, the boldest and the biggest creative wear, she also was the only one to travel from Perth, yet she left the pageant with no recognition. What so ever!

    Why don’t you show the Australian public just how “fair and deserving it was for Ella to win!”