Stellar Pritchard

Stellar Angafili Makarita Pritchard (born 2003) is a poet, dancer, artist, member of Coven-Aucoin and an advocate for the LGBT community. She is a trans woman of Samoan descent, living in New Zealand. As a poet Pritchard won the 'Word Up!' competition for her powerful and acclaimed poem When you Present as Male (2019). She performed the poem on New Zealand's national morning news show Breakfast (2019) and most recently performed it at A Slice of Southside (2023). She was a part of the Auckland Writers Festival (2023). As a member of the House of Coven-Aucoin since 2019, Pritchard has danced and performed at several festivals and events, including Auckland Pride with the House's show Fafaganda (2023). Pritchard also published an article for Vice Magazine (2023).

Biography

Pritchard was born in New Zealand. Both of her parents are Samoan, from the villages of Tufuiopa and Tuana'i. She grew up in Auckland, New Zealand with her siblings Lexiga, Heaerit and Schvok.

At school is where Pritchard was introduced to the idea of poetry by one of her teachers, Rewa Worley. Worley was able to demystify poetry from something exclusive and inaccessible to a tool for speaking yourself into existence and affirming one's own experience. Pritchard used her poem as a vehicle to come out as Trans and celebrate who she is, speaking herself into existence.

The poem is an ode to Pritchard's journey and a celebration of those who have supported, helped and uplifted her to be her best, biggest, brightest and most beautiful authentic self. She names them individually, acknowledging their hand in her story. Moe Laga mentored Pritchard at this time She was selected by FAFSWAG founder Tanu Gago alongside Coven-Aucoin to submit digital performance works that were projected at scale onto surrounding buildings of the festivals garden during sunset hours. The exhibition was called Diaspora Rendered (2023). She also performed with Coven-Aucoin in Fafaganda (2023) for Auckland Pride Festival.

Pritchard was also on the Youth Advisory Board for Le Va. Her work with the Pasifika community wellbeing organisation included providing support for Pasifika families and communities to have the best possible health and wellbeing outcomes. (2022)

Her inspirations are Beyonce, Nicki Minaj and Leona Lewis.

She has been published in Vice Magazine with an article about relationships from her unique and nuanced perspective (2023).