5 of Our Favourite Samoan Actresses

Our last blog we shared 5 of our favourite Samoan Actors.  We all know that it is not just the men who slay on the stage.  Samoan women are fiercely talented and we are so proud to share 5 of our favourite Samoan Actresses with you all today!

1. Frankie Adams

(Photo Credit: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4213877/)

Frankie Adams was born in Samoa and moved to New Zealand when she was still young. Her first role came at age 16 as Ula on Shortland Street.  She has since worked on the Australian series Wentworth and starred in the full length movie One Thousand Ropes.  Her latest achievement is starring in the American Sci-fi series The Expanse. Frankie is just beginning her journey on the road to stardom and is sure to be a name to look out for!

2. Teuila Blakely

(Photo Credit: http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/ItvNoosT_fc/Moana+New+Zealand+Premiere/-60BCG0Juzu/Teuila+Blakely)

Teuila is a radio presenter as well as an actress.  She has had parts on several television series such as Shortland Street, Outrageous Fortune, and This is Not My Life. Teuila has also made several movies including Sione’s Wedding and The Legend of Johnny Lingo.  Blakely has also voiced the character Sina Tapili in the animated series Bro’Town. You can currently see Teuila as Malia on the television series Filthy Rich.

3. Sima Urale

(Photo Credit: https://e-tangata.co.nz/news/sima-urale-no-longer-a-doongy)

Sima emigrated from Savaii to New Zealand without knowing any English. Today Sima is an award winning director, a film maker and an established actress.  Sima graduated from Toi Whakaari where she studied drama and then furthered her studies at the Victorian College of the Arts in Melbourne where she studied filmmaking.  Urale has been in the film industry for more than 15 years and won Best Short Film at Asia Pacific Film Festival, Chicago International Film Festival and NZ Film and TV Awards for her first screenplay O Tamaiti. Urale’s latest role was Seipua in the movie One Thousand Ropes.

4. Fiona Collins

(Photo Credit: https://www.aucklandactors.co.nz/actors/details/fiona-collins)

Fiona is the Performing Arts Lecturer at the National University of Samoa and owns the Production company Filet685 Productions with her husband Naea Asolelei To’alepai.  Their latest play aloFA received great reviews last year. Collins has had roles in several plays and often holds workshops for actors in Samoa. Collins played Lupe in the movie O le Tulafale: The Orator as well as playing the role of Christina on Shortland Street.

5. Anapela Polataivao

(Photo Credit: http://thefactorystory.co.nz/auditions/all-auditions/anapela-polataivao)

Most famously known as being one half of the hilarious duo Pani and Pani Anapela is also an actress and has portrayed characters on the web series The Factory as well as strong willed bakery owner, Dorothy on the feature film One Thousand Ropes. Anapela was one of the founders of Kila Kokonut Krew as well as having roles on Night Shift, The Market and Filthy Rich.