We had a chat with the chirpy newbie and it became obvious why Disney chose her for the role
Text and photos by Pamela Chow
Sporting a Vanda Miss Joaquim in her hair and an appropriately tropical dress, voice actress Auli'i Cravalho speaks with confident, contagious yet innocent enthusiasm. It's hard to believe that she's only 15 years old, and that this is her first stint ever - and with Disney, no less.
Cravalho voices the titular character Moana, a fiesty teenage Polynesian who ventures across the ocean to find the demigod Maui (voiced by Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson). Cravalho - who is born and raised in Hawaii - is now in town to promote the film, which releases here on 24 Nov.
We speak to the starlet about debuting with one of the biggest animation studios in the world.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BF92UQRuJqC/?taken-by=auliicravalho&hl=en
How did you research or prepare for this film?
Well, I went to the beach. [Laughs] I paddle for my school, so I pretty much just lived. I live on an island and I was connected to the character because I’m pretty alike to her.
I’ve also read many books on [ancient myths]. I go to an all-Hawaiian school, and the folklore about Maui and navigating, the stars and traditional way-finding is heavily in my curriculum.
What’s your favourite scene?
It would probably be the ending. In those final sequences, Moana doesn’t say much – I don’t say much. But that’s where words don’t need to say much – it’s the picture and the song and everyone being together.
[In] that final scene where Moana first started the journey, the rest of her family and friends completed it, and they started their own journeys.
Cravalho with her mother, Puanani Cravalho.
If you were to introduce yourself like Moana does, what would you say?
I have a lot of meaning in my name; it was given to me by my mom. I would just say, “I’m Auli’i, and that’s who I am.” That’s something that I needed to learn: That I’m my own person.
What does your name mean?
It means “dainty, exquisite and perfect”. [Laughs] Thank you Mom!
What would you like your next role to be?
I’m open to any role that comes my way. Of course I love Moana and the fact that she’s so empowered and empowering, so if we could follow along that line, that’d be great!
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