HUMANS OF THE ISLANDS - ROMI WRIGHTS

Introduce yourself, your pacific heritage and what do?

Taloha ni! My name is Romi Wrights.I am of Tokelauan, Samoan, and African American descent. I’m a mother and a singer-songwriter, and at the moment I’m currently studying law with the hope of becoming a music lawyer.

What was your journey into your arts like?

It’s been a long journey.I’ve been pursuing this dream for at least 15 years. It hasn’t been smooth, and there were definitely times when I wanted to give up, but looking back I’ve learned so much along the way and wouldn’t change a thing.

Did you always know you wanted to be an artist/musician?

Yes, I’ve known since I was 11 years old that I wanted to be a singer. Growing up, I joined every choir, kapa haka group, and school production I could, just to sing as much as possible. I also took bass lessons, but my heart always kept pulling me back to singing.

How has your heritage inspired your work as an artist/

My Tokelauan Great-Grandmother Mela was a composer of Traditional songs.I think in spirit it has definitely been a guiding light in my own writing.

How does being a mother inspire or affect the way your create?

Being a mother pushes me to do my best in everything I create. I have three children who depend on me, so any time I spend away from them for shows, rehearsals, or even moving away for a few months to finish my album feels intentional. That sense of sacrifice makes me more focused and driven. I also hope that by doing this, I’m showing them that it’s possible to follow your dreams, no matter your situation.

Why do you think it’s important for Pacific artists to be involved in festivals like SPLORE?

Festivals like SPLORE matter because they create space for Pacific artists to show up fully as ourselves. Seeing Pasifika artists on those stages reminds people especially our own communities that our creativity is contemporary, diverse, and worthy of being celebrated.

What is something you know now, that you wish you knew when you were younger?

Anything is possible

What is a challenge you faced as a Pacific Woman in the arts space in Aotearoa?

As a Pacific woman and a mother, one challenge has been navigating assumptions about my capacity and commitment as an artist. There’s often an unspoken expectation that you have to choose between being a Mother and creativity, when in reality both exist together in my life.

What advice do you have for other up and coming Pasifika youth, trying to follow their dreams in the arts?

Good things take time. It might not happen overnight, but consistency and belief in yourself matter. Stay committed to what you love, keep showing up, and trust that everything else will follow in its own time.

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Catch ROMI at SPLORE this weekend!! Click link for ticket details