More than a decade ago, Walt Disney Animation Studios auditioned hundreds of actors throughout the Pacific Islands to voice a new original character, Moana, who sets sail on a daring mission to save her people. An opening casting call noted that the actor must be “brave, inquisitive, and confident,” in addition to having strong singing skills — and Disney found that and more in 14-year-old Auli’i Cravalho, a native Hawaiian and a total unknown.
When Disney Animation’s Moana opened in theaters on November 23, 2016, audiences around the world fell in love with the adventurous teenager — and, by extension, Cravalho. The actor would go on to perform the film’s Oscar®-nominated song “How Far I’ll Go” at the Academy Awards® in 2017 and reprise her role in Disney Animation’s Ralph Breaks the Internet in 2018 and Once Upon a Studio in 2023. Moana remains popular as ever — it was the most streamed movie of 2023, according to Nielsen — and Cravalho will once again voice the titular character when Moana 2 releases in theaters on Wednesday, November 27.
“I am so grateful that Moana has connected with so many people — and yes, we are still streaming quite well on Disney+!” Cravalho says with laugh. “Moana has so much more story to tell, so I’m really grateful we get to have our sequel. If our first film was focused on connecting with our past, this film is focused on connecting with our future — and I’m so glad that audiences also connect with that. Moana is so brave, and such a beautiful character… She has so much more learning and so much more growing to do in this film.”
Cravalho describes Moana as “loyal,” “resilient,” and “tenacious” — qualities she hopes inspire audiences. “I hope other people also see those same traits in themselves,” she says.
What’s the secret to connecting with audiences on a global scale?
“Disney creates magic,” Cravalho says. “That’s truly how I feel.”
“I myself have seen so many young girls and young boys find themselves through this character,” Cravalho continues. “As much as Moana has grown, I’ve grown just as much.”
Over the years, The Walt Disney Company has continued to deepen fans’ relationships with Moana — something that will continue as Moana 2 sails into theaters around the world. “Disney magic can be felt everywhere, from our films to our music to our merchandise,” Cravalho says. “I love that my little cousins get to hold a Moana doll, press her necklace, and out comes my voice — a crazy experience, by the way! It just opens up the world of Moana to so many people and allows that storytelling to reach an even broader audience.”
