Within the 2016 animated movie Moana, its titular character (voiced by Auliʻi Cravalho) is caught between her love of dwelling and her wanderlust for the ocean. Decided to make her personal approach on the planet, she laments, “If the wind in my sail on the ocean stays behind me, at some point I will know. If I’m going, there’s simply no telling how far I will go.” The strong-willed heroine was on the precipice of one thing large. Cravalho, barely 16 on the time the Disney movie hit theaters, was on the same path. There was no telling how far the Hawaii native would go, however the consensus was the breakout star had all of the wind behind her for an enormous future in Hollywood.
Following her appearing debut in Moana, Cravalho went on to star within the ABC musical drama Rise, performed Ariel within the live-action live performance rendition of The Little Mermaid, starred within the Netflix drama All Collectively Now, joined the all-star solid of this yr’s movie adaptation of the stage musical Imply Women, and is now taking part in the enduring Sally Bowles in Cabaret on Broadway. With every new position, the 24-year-old continues to indicate the depth of her abilities as a performer. Now, virtually eight years to the day, she’s again on display screen voicing the character who began all of it.
Hitting theaters November 27, Moana 2 picks up three years after the primary movie. The island of Motunui is by all accounts thriving, and Moana is now a grasp navigator and an older sister. However when she receives an sudden name from her wayfinding ancestors, she should embark on an expansive new journey with Maui (Dwayne Johnson) and pals. That includes all-new characters, new larger-than-life villains, and new songs from Grammy winners Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, together with the facility anthem “We’re Again,” the sequel guarantees to be each bit as enjoyable and heartwarming as the unique.
We caught up with Cravalho throughout a short break from Broadway to speak about her kinship with Moana, passing the torch for the live-action film, and what she’d love to do subsequent.
When Moana got here out in 2016, you have been 16 years previous residing in Hawaii together with your mom. It grew to become an enormous hit for Disney and I think about modified the course of your life. Can you’re taking me again to that point and what it was like for you?
I went to an all-Hawaiian college, Kamehameha Faculties. It offers desire to these of Hawaiian descent, and so when it was launched that I used to be solid as Moana, I used to be not generally known as Auliʻi. I used to be Moana up and down these halls. It was so pretty, and I knew instantly what this character would imply to my neighborhood, however I had no concept the waves this character would make eight years from then. I used to be solid after I was 14, the movie got here out the day after my sixteenth birthday. … And now I flip 24 on the twenty second. We’ve got our premiere in Hawaii on the twenty first, which is so particular, and now we have a premiere in London only a few days after that.
The truth that there’s nonetheless extra story to inform, the truth that Moana is the most-streamed animated movie for Disney, the truth that it is nonetheless trending on Disney+, it actually goes to indicate simply how effectively the analysis was after which additionally how badly we as a tradition wished to see a younger girl be the hero of her personal story. No love curiosity, simply guided by the celebs and discovering herself alongside the best way. I honestly really feel that I’ve gotten to do the identical factor coming again 10 years older than I used to be after I first began the venture. I really feel like I’ve grown a lot. And for the primary time in Disney historical past, a Disney princess has been allowed to age as effectively. There are such a lot of motifs that I really feel related to, and she or he and I are like this [crosses fingers].
When did you hear a sequel was within the works?
Mickey Mouse saved it below wraps for a really very long time. I had heard whispers. We began engaged on the animated collection, so I used to be already within the recording sales space. After which just like the pandemic that was an act of God, we had the strikes that have been taking place, so there have been quite a lot of modifications and quite a lot of restructuring. I keep in mind simply form of sighing and saying no matter this comes out to be shall be. I like this character a lot. I hoped to not less than get to carry on to no matter venture it might be, the animated collection or sequel, and I like that we have turn out to be a sequel as a result of I really feel like a narrative like this has a lot coronary heart however then all-new songs, all-new villains, and this time additionally we’re bringing alongside individuals you recognize and love. We’ve got Maui, Hei Hei, and Pua alongside for the journey. It is only a actual celebration that is actually nice to see in theaters.
Sequels could be scary. There may be quite a lot of strain to dwell as much as the unique. How a lot do you know about the place they have been taking the story, and what was essential to you when it comes to the subsequent chapter?
I actually wished to see development on this character, and I did not know if it might be a part of her canon, a part of her lore that she would develop up really in years, so I used to be actually glad to know that when that grew to become part of her character. I additionally wished to see how the connection between Maui and Moana modified. They’re such nice pals, however in that first movie, I felt that there was demigod and human, and this time round, they’re a lot extra equal. Moana is holding her personal. Now she’s a grasp navigator. And as an alternative of Maui needing a pick-me-up, Moana wants the pick-me-up this time round. So I believe it actually reveals their bond and the truth that it is the each of them towards the world. I like realizing that for our heroes, that it doesn’t matter what could come up subsequent, they nonetheless have one another.
How was it for you stepping again into that recording sales space once more? Did you’re feeling like Moana instantly got here again to you?
I love this character. And he or she and I are so comparable. I do not know should you can inform. I am very animated in actual life, in order that interprets very effectively into the recording sales space. However I’ve additionally performed fairly a number of Moana information in between our final movie and this one. We’ve got firework reveals, now we have Disney on Ice, now we have Lego films, and I’ve performed the Calm app to assist little youngsters meditate. This character has by no means left me, however as an alternative of getting to revert again to my 15-year-old voice, which I usually do for these recordings, now my voice is down right here, which is a smidge completely different. I used to be so grateful that they inspired me to indicate that depth and present that development even via my voice appearing.
What actually resonated with you in regard to Moana’s journey this time round?
In our first movie, it felt like we have been connecting with the previous, and I believe this movie is exhibiting us how we join with the long run. There may be this character Tautai Vasa, who’s the grasp navigator that Moana can hint her lineage again to, the final grasp wayfinder earlier than Moana, and he says one thing so highly effective: “In isolation we is not going to survive.” I like that theme as a result of on a smaller degree, completely. If you don’t attain out to these round you, life will get considerably tougher. But additionally considering of it a bit bigger for these of the Pacific, we’re large ocean states. We aren’t separated by the ocean; we’re related by it. So the truth that wayfinding is so extremely tied to our historical past and the truth that a movie like Moana is showcasing this indigenous information means the world to my neighborhood. I believe that is what’s most essential to me, regardless of how far I’m on the planet. I am in New York Metropolis proper now taking part in a personality like Sally Bowles who’s so very completely different from something I’ve performed up to now. My tradition and my individuals and my satisfaction nonetheless sits very excessive in my chest, and it is as soon as in a lifetime {that a} movie like Moana comes out that does its homework, that perpetuates the tradition prefer it does. I additionally had the enjoyment of revoicing Moana in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi. It is used as academic materials to assist convey again language that was forbidden to be spoken in Hawaii for a few generations. She continues to offer again. I am actually grateful to her.
“How Far I will Go” was such a significant track within the first movie. Do you may have any predictions for which observe shall be a standout this time round?
“How Far I will Go” is a bop! I believe “We’re Again” is such an anthem. I like that it sounds just like the world we keep in mind but in addition excites us for what’s developing subsequent. I like that as our first track. “Past,” which is out now, you possibly can hear Moana’s eager for one thing extra, and but it’s so distant. In case you thought Moana went past the reef within the first movie, you haven’t any concept how far she’s going to go on this one. I additionally assume “Can I Get a Chee Hoo” is hilarious, so I have to be taught the rap on that one. I’ve performed my work. What individuals get pleasure from and what they resolve to sing alongside to in their very own properties and what earworms stick, I can’t management, however I can merely cross my fingers. I hope it is lots of them.
You might be an govt producer on the live-action adaptation of Moana however will not be starring in it. Why did you make that call?
I am all the time seeking to be taught and to develop, and I am actually excited to be getting into this govt producer position. I am studying that it is quite a lot of emails. But additionally essential. There are such a lot of incredible Hawaiian writers and administrators, and I’ve made it to date due to Disney and due to my workforce, and to increase that privilege to my fellow countrymen actually looks like a good way to offer again. In order that’s why producing looks like a pure position for me. I am additionally kind A, so I actually like seeing all the items come collectively.
I have been to so many occasions for Asian Individuals and Pacific Islanders, and I communicate on illustration on a regular basis, and but I can rely on one hand the quantity of Pacific Island expertise within the trade, and it will get even smaller once we take into consideration younger ladies. So when trying on the live-action model, I understand how essential it’s to see your self on-screen. I’m of proud combined descent. I’m Puerto Rican, Portuguese, Chinese language, Hawaiian, and Irish. I’ve bought a complete bunch of cultures in me that I carry with satisfaction, and I believe that Catherine Lagaʻaia is a phenomenal Moana. I believe what she represents to so many younger individuals goes to alter their trajectory. A number of instances we do not know what we are able to turn out to be or how far we are able to dream till we see somebody that we see ourselves in, and I do know Catherine goes to be that lady for a complete technology of people.
In passing the contact to Catherine, have you ever given her any recommendation?
It does really feel like a passing of the torch, nevertheless it’s additionally…
You might be, in a way, nonetheless sharing Moana.
There’s a complete Moana universe that’s increasing, which is wonderful. I’ve no recommendation for her as a result of Moana is in her bones simply as a lot as Moana was in mine. I grew up crusing, I used to be on my college’s paddling workforce, I grew up swimming, I grew up an solely baby to 2 very robust and protecting mother and father. So these components of myself I discovered inside her. However Catherine can also be so lovely and so robust and so intelligent, and the fearlessness that it takes to get on a ship with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and maintain your personal, he has a very completely different story to her. Seeing that has been an absolute pleasure, and it is an absolute present to see how these characters evolve and alter with every of their very own iterations.
I like the gorgeous Dolce & Gabbana gown you might be sporting right now. Are you able to trace at what else we are able to see you sporting on this upcoming press tour?
Completely! I am sporting a Dolce & Gabbana gown now, but in addition Pacific designers in my ears, so I am all the time giving a nod again to dwelling. I shall be doing that for the remainder of my press run as effectively. We’ve got our premiere in Hawaii, which implies we’re making customized clothes in collaboration with my stylist, Jessica Paster. We’ve got designers like Afa Ah Bathroom and Rocket Ahuna, who is that this lovely, younger Hawaiian designer who I am so in awe of. … The quantity of the work and the quantity of funding these individuals have to do on their very own to get these designs off the bottom, to have their present, after which to let me put on it additionally, they’re giving components of themselves to me. I take superb care of it, however I additionally alter it as a result of I am 5’3! I am not a mannequin. They put quite a lot of belief in me. After we head to London, I’ve a bunch of lovely Pacific Island items and jewellery that I will be sporting. We’re making an emphasis on shells and on pearls and the diamonds of the Pacific so to talk. Simply really paying homage to these within the Pacific and the nice work that they do.
You could have taken over the position of Sally Bowles within the Broadway manufacturing of Cabaret, which has beforehand been carried out by Michelle Williams, Emma Stone, Sienna Miller, and Gayle Rankin. How has it been so that you can step into these footwear?
Effectively, she may be very completely different from Moana, we’ll begin there. It has been so enjoyable. I’ve been itching to play characters that have been outdoors of highschool, only for the depth of character and for the depth of story. And boy oh boy did I manifest this one! Not solely do I get to play a personality who descends into insanity each night time, but in addition the present itself, Cabaret, touches on themes of facism, sexism, and younger ladies having a alternative over their very own our bodies and their choices. It has all the time been a well timed present, however to be part of it now particularly feels—nice theater has the aim of ripping us open and revealing a mirror, and I really feel very grateful to be in a present like this now. I’ve additionally misplaced my voice. I’ve so many theater bites, aka bruises, up and down my shin. It is also such a unique beast from dwell motion and considerably completely different from voiceover. Fortunately, when I’ve each a present and press or a Moana recording the identical day, the characters really feel so completely different that they really feel like a break from each other. However I get to do all of it really with these two.
You additionally starred within the film musical Imply Women earlier this yr. You could have some iconic musicals below your belt. What do you need to do subsequent?
I merely need to play younger ladies who’re written effectively, who’re sensible, who’re defiant, however I additionally need to play people who find themselves completely different from myself. I’m an solely baby, my mother raised me as a single father or mother for a extremely very long time, and she or he put me in aikido, she put me in karate, and so I’ve all the time been very bodily. I skilled for the USA swim workforce after I was a child. I used to be on the water polo workforce, so I’ve all the time been very in contact with my physique. I danced. All this stuff. So I have been taking stunt classes in Los Angeles for the previous couple of years or so, and I am actually trying ahead to moving into an motion movie. Or to play a villain as a result of I believe I’d be the right twist; you’d by no means anticipate me. And what I like about Cabaret is it reveals that I’ve these appearing chops. I’m this candy ingénue that you’ve got heard for the final eight years, and I can sing an influence ballad, however I additionally like to get darkish and gritty and get to the meat of the story. I additionally simply need to have enjoyable and fly round, in order that’s form of the objective.
Moana 2 is in theaters November 27.
Photographer: David Urbanke
Stylist: Jessica Paster
Hairstylist: Rheanne White
Make-up Artist: Kirin Bhatty
