Vaimalama Chaves SOLAR AND PASSIONATE

You’ve successfully branched out after Miss France, particularly in music. What are your current projects in this field? Are you working on new tracks or collaborations?

Miss France has been an endless source of opportunities. Thanks to my passion for music, we spotted an opportunity that led to an album, released in 2020. However, due to unfavorable circumstances, it was a monumental flop, but a life lesson: you need to work with people who share your values and goals, otherwise, it won’t work. Today, I’m working on a new musical project with a completely different team. After the challenging previous experience, I’m moving slowly toward this new project, which feels more aligned with who I am.

Besides music, what other passions fill your daily life? Are there activities or causes that are particularly close to your heart?

Apart from music, I love sports. There are several activities that inspire me and that I enjoy practicing, like pole dancing and weightlifting. I’m also considering new challenges in this area-let’s see how it goes!

There are many causes close to my heart, such as fighting bullying (especially in schools, though all types of harassment infuriate me), animal welfare, environmental protection, and health. Unfortunately, you can’t defend everything at once without diluting your impact. Today, with sports-related projects,
I want to encourage the Polynesian population-where diabetes and obesity are leading causes of death-to take control of their bodies and embrace a healthier lifestyle.

 

You’re known for your strong character. Are there still people or things that stand in your way? (Laughs)

I’m a woman of strong character, and that’s because nothing has ever come easily for me. Achieving your goals requires resilience, determination, and hard work to overcome new life challenges and move forward.

Even today, I still face resistance, and I need to stay the course, persevere, and reach new heights. In the end, it’s also about patience-who will be more persistent in their will to succeed: resistance or me?

You seem to be very passionate and fully committed to your choices. Where does this drive come from?

I’m a wholehearted person. My entire life has been guided by this fact. When I love, I do so with all my heart, and when I dislike something, it’s definitive. I rarely go back on my decisions because, like with all my choices, I take the time to carefully weigh everything before making a decision. That way, I’m sure of what I want, and then I do everything to succeed. Sometimes, it doesn’t work out, because «even giving everything might not be enough»-as Jean-Jacques Goldman said in Puisque tu pars. But giving my all means I have no regrets, because I gave the best of myself.

You’ve been preparing for the Miss Bikini challenge for almost a year. What motivated you to take on this challenge, and how has the preparation enriched your personal and professional journey?

Miss Bikini Fitness has been a cherished goal of mine since 2016, when I first started weight training with my father. Although it was put on hold, this aspiration never left me. Through this discipline, I’ve discovered that most of my limits are mental. By mastering my mindset, I’ve achieved things I once thought impossible, like pull-ups or mastering complex pole techniques.

This project has pushed both my physical and social boundaries, while also revealing negative reactions from some who feel uneasy with my choices or confronted by their own limitations. I’ve learned to surround myself with those who understand my dedication, as I no longer have time to justify my actions or deal with unwarranted criticism. This journey has strengthened my determination and independence, allowing me to focus on what truly matters.

With such a rich career, where do you see yourself evolving in the coming years? Between music, fashion, and maybe even cinema, what are your aspirations for the future?

In the future, I’d love to explore writing whether through songs or texts. I have a fertile imagination and a strong desire to share, so we’ll see where it takes me.

What would you like to wish the readers of LiFE?

To the readers of LiFE, I wish you peace. Make the choices, even the difficult ones, that allow you to feel good, at ease, and calm in your daily life, even if it means leaving, cutting ties, or freeing yourself from your ego.
Let’s be happy!