Many little girls go through of phase of wanting to be a Disney princess (myself included!), but for one Hawaiian teen, that dream is now an actual reality.
15-year-old Auli’i Cravalho from Hawaii was selected last year as the voice of Disney’s latest character, Moana, after the filmmakers had auditioned hundreds of young women for the part.
The upcoming Disney animation is about a young teen in the Pacific Islands 2,000 years ago, and when looking for the voice of their leading lady, Disney launched a public search to find a “normal” Hawaiian girl to play the titular part, not an actress.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QO7K-6x4xCQ
Oahu native Cravalho, who initially didn’t think she had what it took to play the role, explains her delight of learning she has been chosen as Moana in a press release:
“I didn’t think I would have a chance,” the teen said. “When I was little, I used to dance around the house singing at the top of my lungs. In my mind, that was performing and I loved the feeling of it. But I never imagined being in a Disney movie, being Moana—representing my culture in that way.”
The story is Moana is the tale of an adventurous teenager who sails out on a daring mission to save her people. During her journey, Moana meets the once-mighty demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson), who guides her in her quest to become a master way-finder. Together the pair sail across the open ocean on an action-packed voyage, encountering both monsters and impossible odds. And along the way, Moana fulfills the ancient quest of her ancestors and discovers the one thing she always sought: her own identity.
Of bringing Disney’s strong new princess to life, Cravalho had the following to say:
“Moana is such an amazing character. She’s brave, she is so empowered, she knows what she wants and she’s not afraid to get it, and I think that’s something that I can relate to as well. I just love watching how she goes along in this wonderful movie and grows as a person and helps her culture along the way.”
The film also explores Moana’s relationship with her parents, Tui and Sina, who both have mixed opinions regarding their daughter’s desire to leave the island and explore the ocean. Moana’s grandmother Tala, on the other hand, shares her granddaughter’s love for sea exploration. Described as the “village crazy lady”, Tala has a special connection to the sea and the legends passed throughout South Pacific generations.
Moana is in cinemas here in Ireland from December 2nd.
