Samoan beauty queen Haylani Kuruppu has created history after winning the first runner-up position at the finale of Miss Global 2023. Haylani first created history with her debut participation and now with her first runner-up win, she won Samoa’s highest placement on an international beauty contest stage ever.

Haylani is a social worker, a fitness trainer and an author of the book titled ‘Haylanni: The Journey to Miss Samoa’. She made history as the first Miss Samoa to have published a book during her tenure. She is also studies physiotherapy at the Australian Catholic University. Not new to the pageantry, Haylani also holds the title of Miss Samoa 2022, the Miss Melbourne 2022 and the First Runner-Up in Miss Pacific Islands 2023.

With a stunning display of talent, culture and personality, Haylani missed the crown by one spot as Puerto Rico won the Miss Global 2023 crown and Haylani won the first runner-up position. Haylani answered the Q/A round at the finale night with confidence and eloquence impressing the panel of jury.

On being adjudged as the first runner-up, Haylani took to her official social media as she wrote, “We made history Samoa. In the depth of my being, I want to give a big fa’afetai fa’afetai tele lava Samoa for being my source of strength and perseverance throughout this journey. From the bottom of my heart thank you for letting me represent you on the global stage, my journey has been nothing but delightful and most memorable.”

Haylani also congratulated the newly crowned Miss Global 2023 Ashley Melendez as she wrote, “Congratulations to our new successor Ashley Melendez you deserve to be right where you are queen. My heart is with you Samoa, the globe has heard us loud and clear.”

Haylani’s win is a testament to her hard work, determination and perseverance at Miss Global 2023. She has opened the doors for women across the world who want to be an agent of change with their efforts in the world.