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I feel so honored to have had the opportunity to interview Auli’i Cravalho along with other Cast members like Dwayne Johnson and Lin-Manuel Miranda. Auli’i just glowed with beauty, excitement and poise.
She was asked about what it was like to get the news about being Disney’s first Polynesian princess! There has been an adorable video going around about how she was surprised with the role.
“I went with my aunt to the audition process. And I did more adlib and they were like, “You know, could you say it a little bit more happy, like for instance if we gave you the role, how would you react?” And I was like, “Okay! Wow!” I gave forth my best shot. And that’s when they told me I was gonna be in MOANA. I was crying and I was so happy and just thrilled that, first of all, they thought that I was like worthy enough for this role. I didn’t think that I was – I could never imagine in my wildest dreams that I would be voicing this character. But I was just so happy and blessed, then I told my mom, then I had another cry fest.”
Youtube video of Auli’i getting offered the role of Moana
When asked how she felt about showcasing her Polynesian culture and how she hopes her culture will be received, she was very passionate about her answer.
“I’ll admit, I was a little wary before I got put into this role. Because I think anyone who hears that a movie’s going to inspired by their culture, they want it to be done right. And we don’t want any misrepresentation, we want to make sure that what we feel our culture’s about, that it’s portrayed correctly on the screen. And that was how I felt. But after sort of working on the film and I learned that we have an Ocean History Trust, made up of individuals who are elders, who are fishermen, or navigators. That every single component, whether it was just a small little dancing scene in there, that was choreographed by a Polynesian dancer. But just the little details, even just listening to the palm trees swaying in the background, that they got all of that. Because that’s what it’s about, it’s in the fine details that I think make just the large production that much more special.”
I love how deep in her culture she is! She goes to an all Hawaiian school and said she was raised on the stories about mythology and folklores the movie talks about, she stated that those were her bedtime stories and deep in the school curriculum.
When asked what is your message you want children to take away from this movie?
I think the underlying theme of MOANA is something everyone can take away. Yes, young women but also young men who are going to go into this era and be the old heroes and heroines of their own story. It’s so important. I’m 15, going on 16, and you know, I’ve found that I can live up to MOANA. And that she’s a true heroine and that she’s determined and beautiful. But being strong doesn’t mean that you don’t have your weaker moments, you can’t be as connected emotionally either. Moana is all of that, and I think her journey of finding herself is something that everyone can take away from, girl or boy.
We were all fascinated that Auli’i will go down in history as currently the youngest Disney princess. The connections are amazing, she is of Polynesian culture, can act, can sing, and will be the same age as Moana (She turned 16 on November 22). They couldn’t have found a more perfect person to play Moana. She looks forward to growing and learning and hopes everyone looks up to Moana because she really does.
It is pretty amazing how much Auli’i and Moana share many of the same characteristics because much of Moana was designed prior to Auli’i getting casted. Cute things like when work needs to get done she puts her hair up, something Auli’i admits to doing a lot and smiling all the time. She does find it a little weird now when she watches it and they share the same voice.
Fund fact, Auli’i’s Mom actually was able to get a line in the movie, she asks about the coconuts. Auli’i loves how her mother was so excited and thrilled to be included… the joke about how now her Mother needs an agent.
We asked Auli’i, how has life changes for her?
It hasn’t changed too much. I mean, I’m really grateful for that. I have started Trig though. Like that’s at least changed me mentality of life a little bit, but I’m still doing homework, whether it’s in the car, in a plane, a hotel room. My mom finds things for me to do. Just to keep me normal.
I’ve actually started a schedule where I can call my friends and speak with them because I realized that I missed the camaraderie of my classmates. I’ve always been a pretty self directed learner and doing my studies now kind of, not necessarily abroad but haven’t been too hard. But I realize that just the little things that I took for granted, are certainly things that I miss. So I’ve just decided to balance things. Whether it’s calling them or texting, whatever it may be. It’s finding a balance.
I love how Auli’i has a dream, goals, and future she looks towards. She has a deep passion for science and has been in a science and molecular cell biology program has been doing a very interesting project on the environmental impact sunscreen has on the environment, however important it is to us, it is harming our reefs and oceans. She has been doing amazing research on an alternative solution that sounds brilliant. she said there is an old Hawaiian saying “If we love on the Ocean, it will love on us”.
Make sure you mark you calendar for November 23rd
and watch Moana on the big screen!
Like MOANA on Facebook
Follow MOANA on Twitter
Follow Disney Animation on Instagram
Visit Disney Animation on Tumblr
Visit the official MOANA website HERE
Disclosure : I was invited onto this all expense paid press trip to share with you my Moana experience. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
