Teine ‘Uli Age and personal details remain intentionally private, yet this hasn’t diminished her powerful impact as an Afro-Samoan content creator and cultural advocate.
Known professionally as Teine’Uli (username @teineuli_), Shanice Malau’ulu has emerged as a compelling voice in the digital space, championing representation for Afro-Pacific communities.
With over 105,000 followers on Instagram and a growing TikTok presence, she uses her platforms to celebrate Black and Samoan heritage, address colorism within Pacific communities, and create authentic content that resonates with multicultural audiences.
Her work represents more than entertainment—it’s cultural education, identity affirmation, and community building.
While specific biographical details like her exact age remain undisclosed, her influence speaks volumes about her dedication to representation and cultural pride.
Table of Contents
Quick Facts About Teine ‘Uli (Shanice Malau’ulu)
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Professional Name | Teine’Uli |
| Real Name | Shanice Malau’ulu |
| Age | Not Publicly Disclosed |
| Date of Birth | Not Publicly Disclosed |
| Ethnicity | Afro-Samoan (Black and Samoan Heritage) |
| Nationality | American |
| Primary Locations | Utah, Los Angeles, New York City |
| Profession | Content Creator, Cultural Advocate, Social Media Influencer |
| Instagram Handle | @teineuli_ |
| Instagram Followers | 105,000+ (as of 2026) |
| TikTok Handle | @teineuli_ |
| Primary Content Focus | Afro-Samoan Culture, Identity, Representation, Lifestyle |
| Net Worth | Estimated $50,000 – $200,000 (based on influencer tier) |
| Marital Status | Not Publicly Disclosed |
| Known For | Afro-Pacific Representation, Cultural Advocacy |
| Language | English, Samoan (proficiency level not specified) |
| Notable Themes | Black and Samoan pride, colorism awareness, cultural celebration |
Who Is Teine ‘Uli? Understanding the Teine ‘Uli Age, Name and Mission

Teine’Uli, born Shanice Malau’ulu, is an Afro-Samoan content creator who has carved out a unique space in digital media by celebrating the intersection of Black and Pacific Islander identities. Her professional name “Teine’Uli” carries deep cultural significance in Samoan language.
In Samoan, “teine” means “girl” or “young woman,” while “uli” means “black” or “dark.” The term “teine uli” literally translates to “Black girl” or “dark-skinned girl” in Samoan. This name represents a powerful reclamation of identity for Afro-Samoans who have historically faced colorism and discrimination within Pacific communities.
The term was once used pejoratively in Samoa, but Shanice and others in the Afro-Pacific community have reclaimed it as a badge of pride. By choosing this as her professional identity, she makes a statement about self-acceptance, cultural pride, and the visibility of Black Samoan people.
Her mission extends beyond personal branding. She actively works to create space for Afro-Pacific narratives in mainstream media, challenging stereotypes and educating audiences about the diverse experiences within Pacific Islander communities.
Through her content, she addresses important topics including colorism in Samoan culture, the beauty of mixed heritage, cultural preservation, and the unique challenges faced by people who navigate multiple racial identities.
The Significance of Afro-Samoan Identity
Understanding Teine’Uli’s work requires context about Afro-Samoan identity and the historical relationship between Black and Pacific Islander communities. The Afro-Samoan experience represents a unique intersection of two rich cultural heritages.
Samoa, like many Pacific Island nations, has complex relationships with race and colorism. Traditional Samoan culture values lighter skin, and darker-skinned Samoans—whether naturally darker or of mixed African heritage—have historically faced discrimination.
The term “mea uli” (literally “black thing”) was commonly used to refer to Black people or dark-skinned Samoans in derogatory ways. Cultural advocates now encourage replacing this term with more respectful language like “tama uli” (Black child) or “tagata uli” (Black person).
Afro-Samoans occupy a unique cultural space. They navigate expectations from both Black and Pacific Islander communities while often feeling like they don’t fully belong to either. This experience of being “in-between” creates both challenges and opportunities for cultural bridge-building.
Many Afro-Samoans report experiences of colorism within their own families and communities. They may be treated differently than lighter-skinned siblings or relatives, face questioning of their “authenticity” as Samoans, or encounter racist language normalized within Pacific culture.
Despite these challenges, Afro-Samoans also celebrate the richness of their dual heritage. They bring together two cultures known for strong family bonds, rich oral traditions, deep spirituality, and vibrant artistic expression.
Teine ‘Uli’s Content and Cultural Advocacy

Teine’Uli’s social media presence focuses on authentic representation of Afro-Samoan life, culture, and identity. Her content strategy blends education, celebration, and community building across multiple platforms.
On Instagram (@teineuli_), she shares carefully curated visual content that celebrates both Black and Samoan culture. Her feed includes traditional Samoan attire paired with Black cultural aesthetics, family moments that highlight multicultural dynamics, and educational captions about Afro-Pacific experiences.
Her TikTok content (@teineuli_) leans more toward video-based storytelling. She creates content exploring themes like embracing Black and Samoan heritage simultaneously, experiencing colorism as a child in Samoa, celebrating Afro-Samoan community gatherings, and educating viewers about Pacific Islander diversity.
One of her most powerful content themes addresses colorism directly. She speaks openly about experiences of discrimination within Samoan communities and the journey toward self-acceptance and pride in darker skin.
She also creates content celebrating Afro-Samoan culture positively—showcasing food, music, dance, language, and traditions that blend African and Pacific influences. This celebratory content helps younger Afro-Samoans see their identities reflected positively.
Her educational content helps non-Afro-Pacific audiences understand the existence and experiences of Black Pacific Islanders. Many people don’t realize that Pacific Island populations include significant diversity, including Afro-Pacific communities.
She participates in broader conversations about representation in media, pushing for more Afro-Pacific characters in film and television, advocating for darker-skinned models in Pacific fashion and advertising, and highlighting other Afro-Pacific creators and leaders.
The Broader Afro-Pacific Movement
Teine’Uli is part of a growing movement of Afro-Pacific creators, advocates, and cultural leaders who are claiming space and demanding recognition. This movement extends beyond just social media into academic, artistic, and political spheres.
Other Afro-Pacific voices have shared similar experiences. Writers and activists have published pieces on platforms like The Coconet discussing racism from the perspective of young teine uli living in Samoa and other Pacific nations.
Academic institutions are beginning to recognize Afro-Pacific experiences. Students like Teyonna Jarman (Black and Samoan Stanford alumna) have shared their stories of navigating mixed-race identity in predominantly white educational spaces while feeling disconnected from both Black and Pacific Islander communities.
The conversation about Pacific Islander engagement with Black culture has become more nuanced. Articles examining concepts like “the cookout” (Black community acceptance) question whether Pacific Islanders’ affinity for Black culture constitutes appreciation or appropriation.
Cultural events celebrating Pacific arts increasingly highlight diversity within Pacific communities. Festivals like FestPAC and the Moso’oi Festival of Arts & Humanities in American Samoa provide platforms for all Pacific Islanders, including Afro-Pacific individuals.
The Afro-Pacific movement also addresses language reform. Advocates push for eliminating derogatory terms and promoting respectful language when discussing race and skin tone in Pacific languages.
Social Media Strategy and Digital Presence

Teine’Uli’s success as a content creator stems from strategic platform use and authentic engagement. With over 105,000 Instagram followers, she has built a substantial audience through consistent, meaningful content.
Her Instagram strategy focuses on high-quality visual storytelling. She posts carefully composed photos that celebrate both aesthetics and meaning, using captions to provide context and education while maintaining an authentic, conversational tone.
She utilizes Instagram features strategically, including Stories for daily behind-the-scenes content and casual interaction, Reels for reaching broader audiences with trending audio and video formats, and Highlights to organize educational content by theme for easy reference.
Her TikTok presence allows her to reach younger demographics and create more spontaneous, trend-driven content. TikTok’s algorithm helps her reach beyond her existing followers to educate new audiences about Afro-Pacific identity.
Content themes across platforms include identity and heritage exploration, colorism and discrimination awareness, cultural celebration and pride, community building and connection, fashion and style blending cultural influences, and daily life as an Afro-Samoan woman.
Her engagement strategy prioritizes authenticity over perfection. She responds to comments, creates dialogue around difficult topics, and builds genuine relationships with her community rather than treating followers as mere metrics.
She collaborates with other creators in both Pacific Islander and Black creator communities, helping cross-pollinate audiences and build broader understanding of intersectional identities.
Estimated Net Worth and Income Sources
While Teine’Uli’s exact net worth remains private, we can estimate her financial success based on influencer industry standards and her follower count across platforms.
With 105,000+ Instagram followers, she likely falls into the “micro-influencer” to “mid-tier influencer” category. Influencers in this range typically earn between $500-$2,000 per sponsored Instagram post depending on engagement rates and niche.
Estimated annual income from sponsored content could range from $20,000-$80,000 if she posts 3-5 sponsored posts monthly. Her niche focus on cultural representation and Afro-Pacific identity may command premium rates from brands targeting multicultural audiences.
Additional potential income sources include brand partnerships and ambassadorships with companies focusing on diversity and inclusion, multicultural beauty brands, Pacific Islander-owned businesses, and lifestyle brands seeking diverse representation.
Content creation revenue through TikTok Creator Fund payments, Instagram bonuses for Reels, and potential YouTube monetization if she maintains a channel could add $5,000-$15,000 annually depending on view counts.
Speaking engagements and appearances at cultural events, diversity panels, university speaking engagements, and community gatherings might generate $2,000-$10,000 annually depending on frequency.
Affiliate marketing through partnerships with brands whose products she genuinely uses and recommends could provide passive income of $3,000-$10,000 annually.
Merchandise sales (if she develops branded products celebrating Afro-Samoan culture) could eventually become a significant revenue stream, though this remains speculative.
Based on these estimates, her annual income likely ranges from $30,000-$115,000, with total net worth estimated between $50,000-$200,000 depending on her career duration, savings rate, and investments.
Compared to mega-influencers earning millions, this may seem modest, but it represents successful monetization of cultural advocacy and represents above-average income for micro-to-mid tier influencers.
Challenges and Triumphs in Cultural Advocacy
Teine’Uli’s journey as an Afro-Pacific advocate hasn’t been without challenges. Navigating visibility as a cultural representative comes with unique pressures and obstacles.
One significant challenge is dealing with colorism not just as an abstract concept but as lived daily experience. Sharing vulnerable stories about discrimination within one’s own community requires courage and emotional labor.
She faces the challenge of educating without exhausting herself. Constantly explaining her existence and worth to skeptical audiences can be mentally and emotionally draining, yet it’s central to her mission.
Balancing authenticity with privacy presents ongoing challenges. As a public figure discussing identity, she must decide how much of her personal life to share while maintaining boundaries that protect her wellbeing.
She likely encounters resistance from within Pacific communities who may not want to acknowledge colorism or who feel defensive when these issues are raised publicly.
Simultaneously, she navigates expectations from Black communities who may have different understandings of Pacific Islander experiences and may question her claims to Black identity based on appearance or cultural expression.
The pressure of representation weighs heavily. As one of relatively few visible Afro-Samoan influencers, she may feel responsible for representing an entire community’s diverse experiences, which is impossible for any single person.
Despite these challenges, her triumphs are significant. She has built a substantial platform that amplifies Afro-Pacific voices, created community for people who felt isolated in their mixed identities, and contributed to shifting conversations about colorism in Pacific communities.
Her success demonstrates that authentic cultural advocacy can resonate with broad audiences. People appreciate vulnerability, education, and celebration of underrepresented identities.
The Importance of Representation in Pacific Islander Communities
Teine’Uli’s work highlights why representation matters so profoundly for marginalized communities within already marginalized groups. Afro-Pacific individuals exist at intersections that mainstream media rarely acknowledges.
Traditional Pacific Islander representation in media already lacks diversity. When Pacific Islanders appear in mainstream entertainment, they typically fit narrow stereotypes: physically large, warrior-like men or exotic, light-skinned women.
Darker-skinned Pacific Islanders, particularly those of African descent, remain virtually invisible in mainstream Pacific representation. This invisibility sends harmful messages to Afro-Pacific youth about their value and belonging.
Research on representation shows that seeing yourself reflected positively in media affects self-esteem, mental health, sense of belonging, career aspirations, and willingness to take up space in public life.
For Afro-Pacific children growing up without seeing people who look like them celebrated in media or community leadership, the impact can be profound. They may internalize messages that their particular combination of identities is wrong or undesirable.
Teine’Uli’s visible pride in her Afro-Samoan identity provides crucial counter-messaging. When young Afro-Pacific people see her celebrating her heritage, it creates permission for them to do the same.
Representation also educates broader audiences. Many people genuinely don’t know that Afro-Pacific communities exist. Visible creators like Teine’Uli expand public understanding of Pacific diversity.
This education can shift conversations within Pacific communities themselves. When colorism and anti-Blackness are named and challenged publicly, it creates opportunities for cultural growth and healing.
Building Community Through Digital Platforms
One of Teine’Uli’s most significant contributions is community building for scattered Afro-Pacific individuals who might otherwise feel isolated. Digital platforms enable connection across geographical distances in unprecedented ways.
Before social media, Afro-Pacific individuals in different locations had limited ways to connect with others sharing their specific experiences. They might be the only Afro-Samoan person in their school, city, or even region.
Platforms like Instagram and TikTok allow Afro-Pacific people worldwide to find each other, share experiences, validate each other’s feelings, exchange cultural knowledge, and build solidarity around shared challenges.
Teine’Uli’s comment sections become community gathering spaces. Followers share their own stories, connect with each other, exchange resources, and provide mutual support.
She facilitates these connections by creating content that invites engagement, asking questions that prompt followers to share experiences, highlighting follower stories and comments, and creating hashtags that help community members find each other.
This digital community serves multiple functions including emotional support and validation, cultural knowledge sharing, activism organization, and celebration of achievements and milestones.
For Afro-Pacific youth especially, this community can be life-changing. Seeing others who share their identity and experiences combats feelings of isolation and provides role models for proud identity expression.
The community also creates accountability. When Teine’Uli addresses colorism or other difficult topics, community members support each other in having similar conversations within their own families and communities.
Cultural Pride vs. Cultural Appropriation Conversations
Teine’Uli’s work exists within broader conversations about Pacific Islander relationships with Black culture, including ongoing debates about appreciation versus appropriation.
Pacific Islanders have deep, documented connections to Black culture. Many Pacific communities have adopted elements of hip-hop, R&B, dance styles, fashion, and linguistic patterns from Black American culture.
Some argue these connections reflect genuine solidarity. Pacific Islanders and Black Americans share experiences of marginalization, discrimination, and resistance. Both cultures value community, family, oral tradition, and creative expression.
Others question whether Pacific Islander engagement with Black culture sometimes crosses into appropriation. When is borrowing respectful appreciation, and when does it become exploitative use without proper credit or understanding?
The concept of “the cookout”—Black community acceptance—has been extended to Pacific Islanders by some Black individuals who see connections and solidarity. Some Black people describe Samoans as “basically Black” or “Black people from an island.”
However, this acceptance raises questions. Despite facing discrimination, Pacific Islanders haven’t lived the specific Black American experience of slavery, Jim Crow, systemic racism in American institutions, and ongoing police violence at the same rates.
Afro-Pacific individuals like Teine’Uli occupy unique positions in these conversations. They have direct personal stakes in both Black and Pacific communities and can speak to complexities others might miss.
Their existence challenges simplistic racial categorizations. They are both Black and Pacific Islander, not “half” of each but fully both, navigating multiple cultural expectations simultaneously.
Future Directions and Potential Career Growth
As Teine’Uli continues building her platform and influence, numerous opportunities for career growth and expanded impact exist in the evolving digital landscape.
She could expand into traditional media, including television appearances discussing diversity and inclusion, documentary participation about Afro-Pacific experiences, or consulting for entertainment productions seeking authentic Pacific representation.
Publishing opportunities might include memoirs or essay collections about Afro-Samoan identity, children’s books featuring Afro-Pacific characters, or contributions to anthologies about mixed-race experiences.
She could develop educational content more formally through online courses about navigating multicultural identity, workshops on addressing colorism in communities, or curriculum development for schools seeking to teach about Pacific diversity.
Brand partnerships could expand beyond sponsored posts to signature product lines celebrating Afro-Pacific culture, creative director roles for inclusive fashion or beauty brands, or ambassador positions with organizations promoting diversity.
Activism and advocacy could grow through nonprofit work addressing colorism in Pacific communities, youth mentorship programs for Afro-Pacific teens, or policy advocacy for better demographic data collection that recognizes Afro-Pacific identities.
She might expand her platform presence through YouTube for longer-form educational content, podcast hosting to have deeper conversations about identity, or Substack or Patreon for subscriber-supported in-depth content.
Public speaking could become a significant revenue source and impact area, including university lectures, corporate diversity training, and conference keynote addresses.
Collaboration with academic researchers studying Afro-Pacific experiences could help document and legitimize these communities in scholarly literature.
The Psychology of Mixed-Race Identity
Understanding Teine’Uli’s work requires acknowledging psychological research on mixed-race and multicultural identity development. People navigating multiple racial/cultural identities face unique developmental tasks.
Research identifies common experiences among mixed-race individuals including feeling pressure to “choose” one identity over others, experiencing questioning of identity authenticity from monoracial peers, navigating different treatment in different communities, and developing flexibility in identity expression based on context.
Psychologists have identified stages in multicultural identity development, though individuals don’t necessarily move through them linearly. These include questioning and confusion about where one belongs, exploration of all heritage cultures, and integration of multiple identities into coherent self-concept.
For Afro-Pacific individuals specifically, challenges include navigating colorism in Pacific communities that may reject or devalue their Black heritage, encountering Pacific Islander invisibility in Black spaces where Asian or Pacific identities aren’t always recognized, and explaining their existence to people who aren’t aware Afro-Pacific communities exist.
However, mixed-race individuals also report unique strengths including cultural flexibility and code-switching abilities, empathy across different communities, resistance to simplistic categorization, and creative approaches to identity expression.
Teine’Uli’s public embrace of her full identity models healthy integration. Rather than choosing one identity over another, she celebrates both and the unique perspective their combination provides.
Her visibility helps younger Afro-Pacific individuals skip some of the painful questioning stages by providing positive representation earlier in their identity development.
Privacy in the Age of Digital Influence
Teine’Uli’s choice to maintain privacy around certain biographical details while being publicly visible represents a thoughtful approach to digital presence that many creators might learn from.
In an era of oversharing, maintaining boundaries protects mental health and personal safety. Not every aspect of one’s life needs to be public, even for public figures.
Her privacy around specific age, birth date, and personal relationships allows her to control her narrative. It prevents reduction to demographics rather than being valued for her message and contributions.
This approach also models healthy digital citizenship for younger audiences. You can have influence and impact without sacrificing all privacy or personal boundaries.
Privacy protection becomes especially important for creators from marginalized communities who may face disproportionate harassment, doxxing risks, or stalking behavior from those who oppose their messages.
By focusing on cultural advocacy rather than personal drama or overly intimate life details, she keeps the focus on mission rather than spectacle.
This privacy also protects family members who didn’t choose public life. Keeping details about relationships, children (if any), or extended family private respects their autonomy.
The selective sharing she does engage in becomes more meaningful. When she chooses to share personal experiences, it’s purposeful and advances her advocacy rather than feeding algorithms with constant content.
Frequently Asked Questions About Teine ‘Uli
1. What is Teine ‘Uli’s age and when was she born?
Teine ‘Uli (Shanice Malau’ulu) has not publicly disclosed her exact age or birth date. She maintains privacy around specific biographical details while focusing her public presence on cultural advocacy and community building.
2. What does “Teine ‘Uli” mean?
“Teine ‘Uli” is a Samoan phrase meaning “Black girl” or “dark-skinned girl.” Shanice reclaimed this term as a badge of pride, transforming language once used pejoratively into an affirmation of Afro-Samoan identity and cultural celebration.
3. What is Teine ‘Uli’s ethnic background?
Teine ‘Uli is Afro-Samoan, meaning she has both Black (African-American) and Samoan (Pacific Islander) heritage. She celebrates both cultures equally and advocates for recognition of mixed Afro-Pacific identities.
4. How many followers does Teine ‘Uli have on social media?
As of 2026, Teine ‘Uli has over 105,000 followers on Instagram (@teineuli_) and maintains an active TikTok presence. Her combined social media reach continues growing as more people discover her cultural advocacy content.
5. What is Teine ‘Uli’s estimated net worth?
While exact figures aren’t publicly available, based on her influencer tier and follower count, Teine ‘Uli’s estimated net worth ranges between $50,000-$200,000. Her income comes from sponsored content, brand partnerships, and potential speaking engagements.
6. Is Teine ‘Uli married or in a relationship?
Teine ‘Uli maintains privacy regarding her relationship status and personal romantic life. She focuses her public content on cultural identity, community building, and advocacy rather than personal relationship details.
7. Where does Teine ‘Uli live?
Teine ‘Uli is based in the United States, with connections to Utah, Los Angeles, and New York City. Her exact primary residence is not publicly specified, likely for privacy and security reasons.
8. What kind of content does Teine ‘Uli create?
She creates content celebrating Afro-Samoan culture, addressing colorism within Pacific communities, educating audiences about Afro-Pacific identity, building community among mixed-heritage individuals, and showcasing lifestyle content that blends Black and Samoan cultural influences.
9. Why is Afro-Samoan representation important?
Afro-Samoan representation matters because this community faces invisibility in both Pacific Islander and Black spaces. Visible pride in Afro-Pacific identity combats colorism, validates mixed-race experiences, and expands understanding of Pacific Islander diversity.
10. How can I support Teine ‘Uli and Afro-Pacific creators?
Support Afro-Pacific creators by following and engaging with their content authentically, sharing their posts to expand reach, supporting their brand partnerships and sponsored content, challenging colorism when you encounter it, and learning about and celebrating Afro-Pacific culture.
Conclusion
While Teine ‘Uli age and certain biographical details remain private, her public impact is unmistakable and profound.
Shanice Malau’ulu has created space in digital media for conversations that desperately needed to happen—about colorism in Pacific communities, the beauty and validity of Afro-Pacific identity, and the importance of representation for people existing at cultural intersections.
With over 105,000 Instagram followers and growing influence across platforms, she has built community for Afro-Samoans and other Afro-Pacific individuals who may have felt isolated before finding her content.
Her decision to reclaim “Teine ‘Uli” as a name of pride transforms language and consciousness around dark skin in Pacific cultures.
Her estimated net worth of $50,000-$200,000 represents not just financial success but the monetization of cultural advocacy—proving that authentic representation has commercial value and that brands increasingly recognize the importance of multicultural voices.
Beyond metrics and money, her greatest impact may be the young Afro-Pacific people who see themselves reflected positively for the first time. When children and teenagers discover her content and realize they’re not alone in navigating multiple heritages, it can be transformative for their self-concept and confidence.
Her work challenges both Pacific Islander and Black communities to examine their assumptions, address internalized biases, and expand their definitions of who belongs. This challenging work is never easy, but it’s necessary for cultural evolution and healing.
As she continues growing her platform and influence, the potential for expanded impact through traditional media, educational initiatives, and formal advocacy organizations remains enormous. The conversations she’s started will continue rippling outward, changing hearts and minds.
Teine ‘Uli represents a new generation of digital advocates who use social media not just for personal fame but for collective liberation. Her story reminds us that visibility matters, representation heals, and one voice speaking truth can spark movements. The future of Afro-Pacific visibility and pride is brighter because she chose to share her journey with the world.