User talk:SamoaNews--Oneata Rosie Melody Soi

Oneata Rosie Melody Soi Oneata Rosie Melody Soi (b. August 1, 1996), widely known as "Rosie", is a Samoan born public figure in the Samoan Islands. She is well-known for her roles in local low-budget films such as Rita in Si mea Mativa(A poor Child) and Sera in Fa'amoemoe i le Alofa(Depend on love).

Early Childhood Her father is from Salimu, Fagaloa and her mother is from Solosolo. Her maternal grandfather is of German descent. She was born in the state's national hospital, the Tupua Tamasese Meaʻole Hospital in Moto'otua, Apia. Born and raised in Samoa until 2000, she is the only child of Alosina Soi and Samoa Soi. She grew up in Salimu,Fagaloa Bay and Solosolo. She reportedly said, "I am so proud to be hailed from Samoa. Wherever I go I carry around that "hamo" spirit and then I feel like going back to the islands right away--laughs." She is named Oneata after her paternal grandmother and Rosie after her mother's middle name. Although she was raised mainly in Fagaloa and Solosolo, she has relatives spread all over the islands including Apia and Vaitele. At the age of 3 in 1999, her mother was deported back to American Samoa while young Soi stayed behind with her father in Samoa. It revealed that Soi's mother, Samoa, was adopted by her aunt and uncle and lived in Samoa her whole life, unbeknownst to her that she was born in American Samoa. She made a request to Prime Minister of Samoa, Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi, and former Governor of American Samoa, Tauese Sunia, if she could go back to Samoa to prepare her family to move to American Samoa. Most importantly was her daughter Soi who was very ill at the time as a result of being separated from her. She was granted only six months to pack her family and go back to American Samoa. Soi's parents then moved to American Samoa, a U.S Territory, after her mother being deported to the island and with hopes for a better future for their family. When asked in 2008 how she felt about her parents decision she replied, "I don't really remember much about it but I gotta say it was pretty difficult at first. I mean my dad and I were Western Samoa citizens. Good thing my mom was born in American Samoa and was a U.S national so if anything she was the one that fixed my dad and I's papers." She then attended a public elementary called Coleman Elementary in the territory's capital, Pago Pago, as a Kindergarten-5. "I hated school when I was young and I remember when it was lunch time, my mom would be waiting outside with my lunch. After I eat, I can't go back to class if my mom do not breastfeed me for like 3 minutes even though she completely ran out of them--laughs." Soi's mother, Samoa, confirmed this in August 2009 and said that Rosie continued to do so until she was 8. She eventually stopped in 3rd grade when her mom started telling her friends at work about it. Her mother said, "I told my friends about it--some were also Soi's friends--because I wanted her to be ashamed of it so she could stop.--laughs" When reminded about this, Soi's response was, "Uhm, no comment.--laughs. It was all true, though. So yeah--laughs." She later on explained,"I was the only child and I grew up alone. I was always, and still am, closer to my mom than anyone else and she's like a sister of mine. And she has her own way of spoiling me, very different from how my dad treats me. I have to say, my dad spoils me as well, although he will never admit this because he doesn't think he spoils me--laughs. I have my own definition of "spoil", so I would say my dad spoils me in a very fair Samoan way."

Rough Days and Separation Happy days for Soi soon came to an end when her mom decided to move to the U.S alone, saying "to fix my daughter and husband's papers" hoping they would get green cards or American passports. After her mother had left on November 2004, Soi's father decided to take Soi back to Samoa so his family could take care of her. After leaving his daughter Soi in Samoa, he moved back to American Samoa. Soi recalled, "At that point I felt like my parents neglected me but at the same time, I was too busy enjoying life and school in Samoa. The experience of being a 4th grader there at Apia Primary School is forever life-changing and I will always remember the rough times I've been through. I was kind of upset with my dad at the time because he didn't stay with me in Samoa and I thought, 'I guess he has more important things to do'...you know?" Her father moved back to American Samoa and had a very public affair with a co-worker of 3 years, gaining 2 daughters(b.2004,b.2006). Soi commented on this in Jan. 2013 and said, "I was very disappointed with my dad when I found out about what he did. But hey, that was like 10 years ago. He's completely changed and I forgave him years ago. I mean, life is a journey and along the way we trip and make mistakes but you just gotta get back up and continue moving forward."

Reunited Good days started to return when Soi's parents reunited in January 2006. Her mother eventually brought her back from Samoa and their family got back together days after the reconciliation. Soi commented on this and said, "It's one of the best things that happened in my life. Everything happens for a reason and I truly believe that it was part of God's plan for our family and made us even stronger in faith to know that we tackled this very big one--laughs." She soon attended Aua Elem. School in Aua, American Samoa. She graduated from middle school there and was soon to enroll in high school. She said middle school was a fun experience and her interest in the media took off from there.

Dreams and Transformation "I was in 5th grade(2007) when I watched Mr. & Mrs. Smith for the first time. I fell in love with their on-screen chemistry and I immediately became a Brangelina fan--laughs. I wanted to act and become a famous celebrity like Angelina Jolie. I also admired Aishwarya Rai as a result of watching too many Indian movies--laughs." When she was in 6th grade, her love of reading grew more and she kept dreaming of becoming an actress but said "it just seemed so far away". "There were no acting opportunities in middle school and I thought that really sucked," she says. "So like in 7th grade, I would spend money on buying celebrity magazines and I loved to read about them and what they do. That still happens now and I feel like its gotten to the max--laughs," she added. Around that time, her mother was critically ill and "led us to refresh our relationship with Jesus and we were completely transformed." Ever since then, she started to lose interest in "everything-Hollywood". "Our faith in God was completely renewed and I felt so holy all the time. My dad got strict with how we had to live our lives and wanted us to reflect to people how we were born-again Christians--which is not a bad thing," she added with a smile. But later on, high school years came along and her interest in "everything-Hollywood came back like it never disappeared."

Growing up and Acting She attended a nearby public high school called Samoana High School. "High school for me was a very different experience and scary. I lost old friends from middle school and made new ones in high school," she explained. She was often referred to the office for cheating and not respecting the teacher. She started skipping classes with friends when she felt like not going to class. In September 2011, a group of theater instructors from the territory's community college, ASCC, visited Samoana High School and were looking for students who were interested in acting. With extreme interest, Soi immediately signed up. When asked about this, she explained, "Only a few signed up and when the group gave out copies of the script I went through it and I rehearsed so my audition results would turn out good or something." And in fact, director Mareko Williams and ASCC instructors were "blown away" and very impressed with Soi's acting skills. Director Williams commented, "We were on the hunt for a young lady to play Rita in Si mea Mativa. It was an exhausting day and previous auditions were just awful. So Rosie came in the room with a smile and I'm thinking like, 'I'm not in the mood of smiling'--laughs. The next thing you know is everyone in the room had their jaws dropped and we were just blown away. She has terrific acting skills and she just makes the role look natural and original. She's kind of shy at times when we comment on her performance but I told her there's no need to be nervous, she has to know how good she is. She's an amazing young lady inside and out and I'm looking forward to casting her in more of my films." While everyone was proud with Soi's achievement, her father was not so happy. He disapproved of Soi's dream to act and was not so fond of his daughter's choice of playing Rita. A source says Soi explained that her father acted that way because "he was someone who was very religious and he lived life based on Christianity". She hesitated to comment on this but still added a shocking statement that left everyone talking, "My dad believes the media is a like another world under the devil's control. So, me being part of it is very wrong... and uhh... I mean, believe it or not, I totally think my dad is right and uhm... you know what? I don't want to talk about it. Sorry." Despite this situation between Soi and her father, she still continues to act and wow audiences. However, Soi admits that she lives a very normal life by saying, "I'm just another Samoan girl who's like everyone else. I still get beat-up by my dad, which is part of the Samoan culture and I like that. I still go with the sapelu(machete) to the ma'umaga(plantation)--laughs." She is currently a senior at Samoana High and says that she "liked school before and now I hate it." "I have heaps of absents as a result of hating school and just stay home and log on to Facebook. "My first priority is God and then my family. I know school is supposed to be third but I tell you its probably not in my top ten--laughs. "The only thing I want the most in life other than going to heaven is becoming an actress; a really big one! Like an international star--laughs. I want to pursue an acting career because it's all I ever wanted and because I don't think any other Samoan made it big in Hollywood--Dwayne Johnson is half Samoan so it doesn't count--laughs. No, I love Dwayne Johnson--laughs." Soi also supports international adoption and dreams of adopting children of her own. She is also an avid supporter of her homeland's national rugby team, Manu Samoa. She currently lives in Satala, Am. Samoa but often travels to Samoa to visit relatives and her grandmother Oneata in Salimu, Fagaloa "mostly summer time". She enjoys going to church and reading when she feels down. When asked what age she prefers to marry at, she exclaimed, "Oh my, good question! Well, maybe after hitting it big in Hollywood--which has got to happen before I'm 22--laughs...then I'd want to marry at the age of 24 and start to adopt right then," and added with a smile.

Personal Life Sources say Soi is "someone who doesn't really like dating". Soi commented on this and said, "I know one day I'll find my Romeo and I'm really not into rushing to fall for any guy. But I gotta say I have a lot of crushes... countless!--laughs" When Soi was a freshmen in high school, she was humiliated when rumors said she was a lesbian. The controversy started when Soi had a normal conversation with a friend. "It was a complete misunderstanding and misinterpretation of words. My friend misunderstood what I said and so the rumor started from there. But we're cool now and she's a great friend of mine. Part of it was also my fault because I was always wild and playful and so I didn't know how to be serious with anyone... and that affected how I would talk or communicate with anyone," she explained. "So every time I hear someone bringing that up, I go 'Excuse me? I am straight! I am willing to find this lil' kitty a Romeo because it deserves one!'" and followed with a wink.