Vodafone Help Realise Young Star's Dream
Vaesala Talavave (middle) with Miss Samoa (left) and Pacific Band Member (right)
Singing sensation Vaesala Talavave's dream of being a professional musician has been made a reality thanks to the support and assistance of telecommunications company Vodafone Samoa who helped put together the young star's first music video with the help of renowned local band "Pacific Love".
The 15-year-old is the lead vocalist in Vodafone Samoa's promo music video titled "Together We Can", which was launched on Wednesday morning this week at the company's headquarters at Maluafou .
The video included not only the vocal talents of Vaesala but it also showcased the fire-knife dancing skills of the current Miss Samoa, Haylani Pearl Kuruppu who had to learn the artform in just one hour before the video shoot commenced.
It also showcased the beautiful scenic features of Vavau Beach, which where the location for the video was shot.
Vodafone did not mention the cost of putting together the music video, but in a press statement from the company it stated that an airplane was hired for the commercial advertisement, which was provided by Talofa Airways.
Vaesala's voice was discovered by Vodafone when a video of her performing a rendition of U.S pop star, Bruno Mars hit song "When I was Your Man" went viral on Facebook at the beginning of this year.
The video was uploaded on her music teacher's Facebook Page called Baba Yaga Don. Miss Talavave was called in to Vodafone Samoa's headquarters at Maluafou on the 15th of February with the purpose of meeting the team to discuss plans to eventually score a music video with Vodafone.
The singer stated that she started singing when she was just 5 years old and said that her music idol growing up was "Queen B" or Beyonce. Vaesala is from the village of Fasito'o Uta and is currently attending Paul VI College and says that she is grateful to Vodafone for granting her this golden opportunity.
“I also want to thank my parents, my grandma, my family, Pacific Love, my music teacher, and all those that have shown me support. Glory goes to our heavenly Father for this talent he has blessed me with," she said.
Vodafone's Acting Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Rana Bose during his address stated that Vodafone has always supported young Samoan talents. "This is the power of technology which can help build careers for talented individuals such as Vaesala. Social Media can play a very important power in discovering such talents. The strong cultural heritage of Samoa and its music can build international recognition and influence for Samoa. The Vodafone marketing team worked very hard, and it took three months to execute the music video."
He further added that Samoa has some of the world's best location for filming and has the potential to be developed as a preferred destination for filming apart from being a tourist attraction. Vodafone will continue to promote Samoan talent and the country through music.