Moana came out in 2016, voiced by the then 15-year-old Auliʻi Cravalho, the rebellious character won audiences hearts. Now in 2024 as the franchise returns, Cravalho has also made it back to the beloved role. As a 24-year-old, the actress has grown leaps and bounds over the years, and in a recent interview, she opened up about how she and Moana have grown up together.
During a chat with People Magazine, she revealed she was "grateful" to be back on the project that had given her a start in her career, saying, "This character is who started my whole career as a young performer." Looking back at her journey, she added, "I really get to have that full decade look back at just how much growth I've gone through." Cravalho opens up about the theme of the Disney sequel and how it varies from the 1st movie. She explained while the original was all about "connecting with the past", Moana 2 will be about "connecting to the future."
Crush actress continued, "It feels like Moana and I have been juxtaposed in our growth together." She pointed out that the Village Cheif is part of a very exclusive club; Disney characters who got to age up. She added it is only one of the few rare times where a "Disney Princess has been allowed to age." Explaining that her voice has changed from when she was 15, and that will be reflected in the sequel with Moana's voice being a "little different."
This time around as Auliʻi Cravalho takes on the main character's role again in the animated version of the movie, she's also preparing to wear the executive producer hat for the live-action adaptation of the beloved film.
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