Beauty Pageant feud resurfaces

By Joyetter Luamanu 08 November 2017, 12:00AM

The Magistrate Court in Victoria Australia has ruled in favour of C.A.N.T.O.A. and Miss Samoa Victoria Beauty Pageant and ordered Miss Samoa second runner up, Adele Fa’aosofia, to pay A$31,426.66 (T$61,000).

This is according to Pulotu Canada McCarthy who said the verdict was reached on Wednesday 25 October 2017 in their favour.

Adele contested in the Miss Samoa Pageant  2017. She finished second runner up. While she was in Samoa for the pageant, she was being sued by C.A.N.T.O.A. for allegedly breaching her “contract” with them.

Having competed and won the Miss Samoa Victoria title with C.A.N.T.O.A., she came to the Miss Samoa Pageant representing a different organisation, called Miss Samoa Victoria Incorporated (M.S.V.I.).

This led to a lawsuit filed by Pulotu and his group, who had tried unsuccessfully to enter a separate contestant for the Pageant.

“We always believed that there was an enforceable contract agreement that was breached by Adele under the law of contract which is ‘civil law’,” a statement from Pulotu said.

 “We’d like to reiterate that the Magistrate Court in Victoria Australia has declared a verdict in favour of C.A.N.T.O.A. and Miss Samoa Victoria Beauty Pageant and have ordered the Defendant to pay the Plaintiffs the claim amount stipulated in the Court Order with interests and costs."

“Our intention was not about the money - but the right principles and the truth to be known.” 

The statement said C.A.N.T.O.A. is pleased with the outcome. 

“What a relief it’s over - but it's only the beginning. The truth has prevailed but the battle continues." 

 “At the appropriate time, we will turn our attention to Samoa and those who defamed us on social media." 

“We know who you are. The Court’s decision has opened a can of worms in this case and we will be pursuing all legal avenues again to bring those involved to justice once and for all.” 

Pulotu goes on to confirm that the official Miss Samoa Victoria 2017 is Irene Mona Siania.

“With the Court decision, Adele Fa’aosofia is not the Miss Samoa Victoria Incorporated and she shouldn't be calling herself Miss Samoa Victoria 2017, let alone incorporated." 

“I hope she'll do the honourable thing by admitting to this as she was poorly advised and forfeit any illegitimate title and prizes she may currently hold in her possession."

“Furthermore, her involvement as Miss Samoa Victoria Incorporated in the 2017 Miss Samoa Pageant in Samoa must come into question as per Court decision. 

“In this instance and as per pageant rules, Adele should be stripped of her 2nd placing title and prizes.”

It was not possible to obtain a comment from Adele at press time.

The Samoa Observer had contacted Rita Seumanutafa, who spoke on behalf of Miss Samoa Victoria and Adele during the Miss Samoa Pageant.

“Thank you for the email - I saw this press release on facebook a few days ago,” Ms. Seumanutafa wrote.

“Adele and her family are seeking legal counsel at the moment and are not ready to respond to Cantoa's statement until they know what they are dealing with (they have not been served this 'notice of order' by the courts or anyone else)."

“The S.A.G.A. team (Samoan Action Group Australia) - the group helping those pageant ticketholders still awaiting refunds from Cantoa is helping Adele and her family with this new drama."

“I've been informed that someone from S.A.G.A. will be contacting you as soon as we get the okay from Adele and her family.”

By Joyetter Luamanu 08 November 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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