BEFORE the lights, before the gowns, before the stage cues and the fanfare of pageant week, the Miss Fiji Queens began their journey somewhere far more meaningful — among the people.
In a tour led by the committee representing the municipalities, the contestants travelled through communities across Fiji, meeting vendors, school children, municipal workers, and everyday Fijians in markets and town centres.
What began with shy “bula” and tentative smiles ended in what chair representing all special administrators for the pageant, Felix Magnus, described as “a stronger bond, deep reflection, and a sense of purpose.”
This was not merely a courtesy visit. It was intentional to bring the queens out of the comfort of rehearsals and into the heart of the communities they hope to represent.
“We wanted to take it to the people so that the contestants feel the pulse of the nation,” Magnus said.
“This early engagement builds their confidence, their empathy, and their understanding of Fiji.”
And indeed, the communities responded with remarkable warmth.
Across municipalities, people lined up to welcome the queens, in some cases with only a few hours’ notice embracing the opportunity to showcase what makes their towns unique.
What they offered the contestants was not only hospitality, but honesty: stories of challenges, pride, resilience, and hope.
This week, as the queens sat down to debrief with the tour committee, emotions flowed freely.
“All of them broke down,” Magnus shared.
“Meeting market vendors and families face-to-face opened their eyes. They saw real issues on the ground and they are ready to advocate.”
This is the essence of a national pageant that seeks not only beauty and talent, but leadership and heart. The purpose of the tour is community connection, sisterhood, and confidence-building, and it was met. The queens return to the stage not only as contestants, but as young women who have listened, learned, and felt the weight of the role they are stepping into.
“One of the reasons for this tour so that it instills within them the confidence to meet the people of Fiji, and now that they have going into the pageant, they know that whoever is being crowned Miss Fiji will have the backing and the support of the people of Fiji.”
As Fiji prepares for pageant week, this community-first approach sets a new standard, one that centers empathy, service, and meaningful engagement.
The festival portion of the program, run by Nasinu Town Council, opens next week, with the pageant nights beginning on Thursday and culminating in the crowning night on Saturday, December 13.
Tickets are available now on Ticket Max, scan QR code to purchase tickets.
n Sera Tikotikovatu-Sefeti is Miss Fiji Pageant Media liaison officer
