Coco Talanoa — Entertainment / Page 1

Netflix has dropped their limited series 'Thai Cave Rescue' which has premiered to their online audience around the globe. 

The series re-tells the story of the local junior Thai soccer team who became trapped inside Thailand’s Tham Luang Nang Non — the “Great Cave of the Sleeping Lady” - for over two weeks and had people around the world on the edge of their seats waiting for updates on how the 12 boys and their coach were doing.

The series premiere also marks the first time a Pacific Islander has had the top level position of Showrunner on a Hollywood project.  Dana Ledoux Miller shares both the Showrunner and Writer credits on the series with Michael Russell Gunn.  

Ledoux Miller who is of Samoan heritage and spent many of her formative years in Hawai'i has been in the industry for over a decade writing on critically acclaimed shows like 'Newsroom', 'Narcos' and 'Designated Survivor'.

Watch the trailer for 'Thai Cave Rescue' below 

"I can’t believe it hasn’t really happened before me.…more

If you watched last season of Know Your Roots these two need no introduction...

They're back for redemption after being disqualified last season of Know Your Roots. In the thick of an ocean relay Dom and Gaby who were teamed together forgot to go around one of the race markers and were later disqualified from the competition for not following the rules of the race. Their journey was cut short but this season they're making a comeback.

Gaby Solomona is a Samoan actress who you might recognise from series like Comedy Central's 'SIS' or more recently as the lead actress in theatre show 'Dawnraids'. Holy Boy Dom is a Tongan online comdian and actor who you might recognize from his viral videos and his role in tv feature series 'Jonah'. Together the pair also star in their very own Fresh Tv segment called "Ask Dom & Gaby".

The dynamic duo has definately had their ups and downs, but they're willing to be reunited once again so they can have another shot at the "Know Your Roots" Champion title.…more

We know he can sing and make people laugh on social media but does he know his roots?

From the popular band Three Houses Down, Charlie Pome'e is a musician and somewhat of an online comedic influencer pulling is thousands of views in to his daily antics.  A proud son of the Kingdom of Tonga the artist joins us this season hoping to make the 676 proud! Especially his roots of Vaini and Ofa Tongatapu.

He's not only a competitor this season but also wears the hat as uncle. Fellow competitor General Fiyah is Charlie's brothers son. When asked about how the two got to be on the same show he jokingly said "Well I heard this show needed other people and he was at home so I told him to get in the car". 

Just because he's an uncle on this show he is not letting that take away from his competitive nature. When talking about his star sign Charlie mentioned,  "My star sign is Leo. We're quite ferocious.…more

You may recognise her from athletic career and large following on social media.

Meet our proud Tongan Maori competitor joing us this season. Katelyn Vaha'akolo is a New Zealand professional rugby league player. She previously played for the Newcastle Knights in the NRL Women's Premiership and is bring all the heat she brings on the field to tv!

Katelyn's roots are grounded in Ngāti Whātua, Ngā Puhi and Tonga! She wears her two cultures proudly and hopes to represent them both well on Know Your Roots season 4. 

Coming in to the competition Katelyn is confident in getting any language challenges and being put in situations where she has to work with others. Further reiterating this when telling us that her strengths are that, "I can speak my native tongue and I'm a team player".  

"I love to be surrounded by culture and I know theres a diverse bunch of us here that are all from different places.…more

From creating viral content to running is straight on Know Your Roots!

We’re joined this season by content creator Judah also known as “Judaxx”. She is a contestant to look out for as her chill vibe could actually be a cover for the big competition she will bring. 

Judaxx became best known for her TikTok and has earned a loyal following of more than 600,000 followers who flock her page. Her popular videos consist of dance and comedy content that has cemented her authentic presence in Aotearoa’s ever-growing online creator’s world.  

The famous TikToker comes on to Know Your Roots to make her Kuki Airani roots proud! While also carrying a keen desire to learn more about other cultures. She shared, “I really want to learn more about our Poly circle and culture. This seemed like a great opportunity to learn first-hand” 

Know Your Roots is an active challenge that poses new obstacles every week that our contestants must battle through. But if there’s one type of challenge Judaxx is ready for it’s the food ones.…more

Jason Momoa's excitement meeting a number of the All Blacks over the weekend has been beautiful to see but the Hollywood star is no band wagon fan.  The Hawaiian actor has expressed his adoration of the All Blacks for years now. 

Back in 2013, Jason was here for the Armageddon expo and was not keen on doing any kind of media.  Seven Sharp managed to get an interview with him out at Piha and journo Craig Stanaway asked him if he'd like to meet anyone here in NZ. 

Turns out the only person Momoa wanted to meet was his All Blacks hero, none other than Va'aiga Tuigamala (RIP).  Props to Craig Stanaway who was able to arrange a meet with Inga for the star struck 'Game of Thrones' actor.  Even got himself a copy of Inga the Wingers book!  Watch how it went down in the IG video below.…more

He’s crossed the ocean to compete in this season of Know Your Roots! 

Proud Australian Samoan Joe Faagase is ready to take on all the kiwi islanders to battle. You may recognize him from the famous YouTube channel Harlito and Jojo. The content creating duo describe their channel as “just two brown boys who are the biggest fried chicken enthusiasts and we’re on a personal mission to bring more light and laughter to YouTube”. 

Outside of YouTube you may also recognize Joe as the creative mind behind stunning Pageant cultural wear, viral posts about his love for Jason Taumalolo and just recently he was on Not Another Talanoa Podcast.

Joe grew up in Logan City Australia and is proud to also belong to the villages of Tapueleele, Asau, Tuanai and Vaea. All the places he hopes to do proud this season.

The content creator and creative brings to the competition his sharp mind and wit. He says, “My knowledge is my secret weapon. Brains over brawns”.…more

He’s come straight off air to hop on tv!

Regan Fo’ai aka. Just The Norms took a little break from hosting hit radio show “The Morning Shack” and social media creation to prove that he knows his roots.

The radio host and content creator enter the competition representing our smaller Pacific islands, Niue and Tokelau. But that doesn’t mean he isn’t bringing big competition.

He’s a big personality with a few tricks up his sleeve. Which by our surprise he said isn’t any particular physical skills but actually his comedic strengths. Saying, “Humor will be my secret strength to get people of my side. They’ll think he’s funny let’s keep him around”

Regan comes ready to remind his fellow competitors that small islands know their roots best. “I was so keen to represent. I haven’t seen any Niuean’s before. I’ve saw Lady Shaka last season repping Tokelau, so I wanted to bring Tokelau again, together with Niue. Also, its really about learning a bit more about the Pacific islands.…more

This competitor is coming in hot and repping her home on her back!

Petmal Petelo Lam is an actress, theatre star and dancer! She’s what show business calls a triple threat. You may recognize her is an original member of the Wild Dogs Under My Skirt cast and crew which toured New York in 2019.

She has been involved in numerous productions with different independent companies both on and off stage. The actress made her TV screen acting debut on Teine Sā: The Ancient Ones.

The actress enters Know Your Roots as our first contestant born and raised in the islands. She hails from the villiages of Saleaula and Samatau. On this season Petmal will answer the question if being island-raised really is an advantage in the game.

“I was born and raised in Samoa. If there’s anything that comes my way that’s cultural I can handle it” she tells us. Petmal who says her friends would describe her as “the queen” is competition ready.…more

He’s the golden child shared between Tonga and New Zealand.

In 2016, Lotima Nicholas Pome'e (a.k.a General Fiyah) was introduced to the public as a member of the highly successful reggae band Three Houses Down, in which his father and uncle are both a part of. Ever since his arrival into the music industry he has been a recognizable face across the Pacific.

The places he calls home are South Auckland, Ma'ufanga, Hofoa and Sopo. All the places he is competing to do proud on this season of Know Your Roots.

Going into the fierce competition General Fiyah remembers past seasons and the dancing elements. He tells us that dancing is his secret weapon, saying  “I can faiva. I can do the Tongan dance and I have that up my sleeve”.

General Fiyah is the youngest competitor to enter Know Your Roots in its history. Being young has not hindered his spirit to fully invest in the competition and go through it all with his Uncle Charlie Pome’e who also joins this year’s cast.…more