Auli’i Cravalho, the voice behind Disney’s beloved Moana, is reflecting on her incredible journey from a young girl living in a one-bedroom apartment to a successful actress who’s now helping her mother retire comfortably. As she reprises her iconic role in the highly anticipated Moana sequel, Cravalho, 24, is taking a moment to appreciate the remarkable growth and achievements that have come in the eight years since the original film’s release.
In an exclusive interview with People magazine, Cravalho shared how the success of Moana, released in 2016, has profoundly impacted her life—especially in her ability to provide for her family. “I bought my mommy a house,” she said, beaming with pride. “She’s happily retired.” The actor’s emotional reflection comes after a decade of both personal and professional growth, including the film’s global success, which far surpassed anything she could have imagined when she first landed the role of the adventurous Polynesian teenager.
Cravalho, who was just 14 years old when she was cast as Moana, grew up in Mililani, Hawaii, where she and her mother lived in a modest one-bedroom apartment. “I slept in the bedroom, my mom slept on the couch. She gave me everything,” Cravalho recalled. For the young actress, securing the role of Moana felt like a dream come true. Yet, she couldn’t have anticipated the huge wave of success that would follow. The film grossed $687 million worldwide, and its impact only grew after its release, particularly when Moana became a hit on Disney+ in subsequent years.
“I really get to have that full decade look back at just how much growth I’ve gone through,” Cravalho said, acknowledging the profound changes in her life since then. In 2023, Moana was the most-streamed movie on Disney+, even seven years after its release, highlighting the enduring popularity of the film.
Reflecting on her rise to stardom, Cravalho expressed gratitude for the sacrifices her parents made to support her dreams. “Your parents give you so much. Kids feel a little indebted, I’m going to be honest! But we feel so grateful for our parents’ sacrifices,” she said. She credits her parents for grounding her during the whirlwind of success, and for encouraging her to stay humble even as the spotlight grew brighter.
“When I first got the role of Moana, my parents were like, ‘Listen, if this doesn’t go anywhere, you need to finish high school. You need to do the dishes. You need to fix your bed. Don’t let it get to your head,’” she recalled. Despite her growing fame, Cravalho admits that there were times when she didn’t always take her parents’ advice seriously. “I was a little shit,” she joked, adding that when she acted out at home, her parents quickly set her straight.
Her mother’s discipline and support were essential in keeping Cravalho grounded. “Sometimes people talk about being a Disney kid, and I think so much of it is giving all of your energy to a project and then having nothing in reserve for yourself,” Cravalho explained. “But [my mother] nipped that in the bud real quick. She was the one to discipline. She was the one to really support me right then and there.” Cravalho credits her mother’s tough love with helping her grow into a more well-rounded individual and to understand the importance of kindness. “She looked me in the eye and said, ‘You need to be kind and you need to be kind to me.’ It was at those moments that I realized, ‘Okay, I can’t give all of myself.’”
ADVERTISEMENT
Cravalho’s success with Moana opened the door to more opportunities, including her role in the Mean Girls musical and her current performance on Broadway in Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club. However, she recognizes that Moana will likely remain the project she’s most known for, especially now with the success of the much-anticipated sequel, Moana 2, which has already broken box office records.
The sequel has fans flocking to theaters, eager to see the return of Moana and her friends, and Cravalho is excited to share the next chapter of the story with the world. But she remains deeply aware of the journey that brought her to this point—a journey that’s marked by both extraordinary professional achievements and the personal milestones that have shaped her along the way.
Despite the whirlwind of fame, Cravalho continues to value her roots and the lessons her parents taught her about staying grounded. As she moves forward in her career, she’s also focused on giving back to the people who have supported her all along—especially her mother, whose sacrifices made everything possible.
With Moana 2 now playing in theaters, fans can look forward to seeing Cravalho once again breathe life into the beloved character, but they can also be inspired by the actress’s own journey of growth, gratitude, and the importance of staying true to oneself.
