Auli’i Cravalho praises Catherine Laga’aia’s ‘spirit’ as she takes over iconic role

Auli’i Cravalho knew Catherine Laga’aia was the right person to bring Moana to life in Disney’s live-action remake from the moment she watched her audition tape.

Cravalho, who voiced Moana in the original 2016 animated film and its 2024 sequel Moana 2, revealed that Laga’aia’s audition stood out among the many performances considered for the role.

Speaking to People at a screening of Moana in New York City on Thursday, July 9, Cravalho praised the 19-year-old Australian actress for capturing the heart of the beloved character.

“Catherine just had that spirit,” Cravalho said. “She is kind. She is brave. She is beautiful. She embodied Moana from the very beginning, and I’m so excited to see her shine in this film.”

Laga’aia was selected from thousands of hopefuls to play the live-action version of Moana in her first major film role, stepping into the role of the adventurous chieftess-to-be that Cravalho first introduced nearly a decade ago.

Cravalho, who served as an executive producer on the remake, also reflected on the special connection she now shares with Laga’aia through the character.

“I love being Moana and I am Moana and so is she,” Cravalho said. “And we now share in the sisterhood of having a lifelong character that makes an impact for so many. It’s really nice to share that with someone.”

She also celebrated how Laga’aia represents another part of the wider Pacific community connected to Moana’s story.

“She’s from Australia, and her family is Samoan. I’m from Hawaii, I’m Hawaiian,” Cravalho explained. “Our Moana ‘ohana’ [family] simply gets bigger, and that is amazing.”

Taking on a new role behind the scenes also gave Cravalho a different perspective on filmmaking.

After originally landing the role of Moana at age 14, she said becoming an executive producer allowed her to understand the many people involved in bringing the story to life.

“There are so many invisible hands that made this dream come true,” she said.

Before production began, Cravalho reached out to Laga’aia with a supportive message, letting the newcomer know she was available while also making clear that the remake belonged to her.

“I’m here if you need me. But also, this is entirely your own. This is your film,” Cravalho previously shared.

The two actresses eventually met during pre-production, a moment Laga’aia described as unforgettable.

She recalled hearing Cravalho’s voice and initially thinking the animated movie was playing nearby before realizing the original Moana was in the room.

“That’s what I grew up on. That’s my Moana,” Laga’aia told Cravalho.

After watching Laga’aia on set, Cravalho said she was impressed by the young actress’s confidence and ability to step into the iconic role.

“To be able to stand next to Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson on a canoe and feel cool as a cucumber — Catherine walked in with that kind of energy,” she said.

Disney’s live-action Moana, starring Laga’aia alongside Dwayne Johnson, Rena Owen, John Tui and Frankie Adams, is now playing in theaters.