The Minister responsible for the Samoa Tourism Authority (S.T.A.) has not been made aware of the terms and conditions of another pageant announced by a telecommunication company. 

In response to queries from the media last week, Toeolesulusulu Cedric Schuster said he is only aware of preparations for the Miss Samoa annual pageant for next month. 

He said he would have to find out more information on the purpose of this second pageant then would have the right answers to the questions. 

However, recalling other pageantries in the past, Toeolesulusulu said different organisations did not "necessarily" needed approval from the government to organise a pageant especially if there aim is to have someone represent Samoa in global and international beauty pageants. 

Adamant that he had not been made known of the details of the Vodafone Miss Samoa Global, Toeolesulusulu said the only way the organisers of the pageant would need to seek approval and endorsement from the government is when they want to have the winner represent the country in the international beauty contest. 

He further explained that the only government-endorsed beauty pageant is the Miss Samoa pageant that is aimed at finding a representative for the Miss Pacific Island pageant. 

The Miss Pacific Island according to Toeolesulusulu is "unique" as our culture and traditions are fused into the events which is different from the way global pageants are organised. 

The local mobile phone company, Vodafone Samoa issued a statement last Friday, advising young Samoan women that registrations have opened up for the Vodafone Miss Samoa Global this year.

Vodafone Samoa said online registration opened Saturday 5 August 2023 and will close on 5 September 2023. All participants must comply with the eligibility requirements for participation in the Vodafone Miss Samoa Global 2023 including being female, being between the ages of 18–35, shouldn't be married or pregnant, should be able to communicate in English, having a minimum height of 5'7, be of Samoan heritage and be familiar with Samoan culture. 

There is no charge for registering for the Miss Global Samoa Contest, according to Vodafone Samoa, with the top 8 finalists called in for interviews with judges on 29 September 2023 (including online interviews for overseas participants). The crowning of Miss Global Samoa 2023 will take place in Samoa on Thursday 5 October 2023 with the winner walking away with SAT$3,000 cash, Phone 14, an expenses-paid trip to Vietnam to take part in the Miss Global 2023 pageant as well as many other prizes.

If the Vodafone Miss Global Samoa wins the Miss Global pageant in Vietnam, she wins USD$20,000 as well as gifts, prizes and a scholarship gifts/prizes/scholarship. Miss Global, a prestigious international pageant organized by Miss Global Organisation (USA), aims to empower women and provide them with a platform to advocate for positive change within their communities.

Manaia Events will run a 21-day mentorship program to prepare the finalist for the global pageant in Vietnam from 11–25 November this year. There will be participants from 75 countries competing for the Miss Global title. All expenses relating to travel, accommodation, ground transport, and mentorship will be sponsored by Vodafone Samoa and its associates. 

Vodafone Samoa has taken a significant step towards empowering Samoan women by acquiring the franchise of Miss Global Samoa. This opportunity serves as a testament to our commitment to empowering young women and promoting their talents and voices worldwide.

Discussions are also underway between Vodafone Samoa and the Miss Global Organisation, to bring the current reigning Miss Global 2022 Shane Tormes to Samoa in September this year. The mobile phone company said the visit of the Filipino woman, who was crowned last year, will boost Samoa's tourism sector. Currently, the Miss Global Organisation Instagram alone is followed by 1.3 Million individuals around the world. The visit of the reigning Miss Global to Samoa will be covered widely by social media channels and mainstream media, according to Vodafone Samoa.