See ‘Moana’ Star Auli’i Cravalho Find Out She Lands Disney Role

When it came to casting the lead voice for “Moana,” Disney searched worldwide and ended up finding their lead in Hawaii.

 

IT’S OFFICIAL: After months and months of worldwide casting calls, we’ve finally found our next DISNEY Princess… #MOANA. I’m pumped to welcome 14yr old @AuliiCravalho of Mililani, Hawaii to our project. What’s amazing about this story is that she didn’t think she was good enough so she never auditioned. Fortunately, one of our Oahu casting agents discovered her singing at a charity competition and the rest is history. * An awesome lesson to all young kids out there… work hard, have confidence in yourselves and never think you’re not good enough because you never know what the future holds. Congratulations Auli’i! Can’t wait to work with you and watch you bring this new Disney Princess to life. #YesThatsMeOnTheRight #HisNameIsMaui #HesADemiGod #AndHePutsMoanaInHerPlace #SoHeThinks #DisneyAnimation #MOANA #TimeToSing

A photo posted by therock (@therock) on Oct 7, 2015 at 7:42am PDT

The studio announced on Wednesday that native Hawaiian newcomer Auli’i Cravalho, 14, will voice the title character alongside Dwayne Johnson in the big-screen animated adventure about a spirited and fearless teenager who sets out on a daring mission to prove herself a master wayfinder.

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Disney was able to capture the moment when the high school student found out she had landed the role.

“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,” Auli’I said in a statement on Wednesday.

Back in August at The D23 Expo, Dwayne spoke about how honored he felt about joining the animated movie.

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“I had a goal, and the goal was to be in the Disney family. For me to be standing here today with these incredible film makers, my girlfriend and daughter – it’s my daughter’s birthday, and they’re both here. It’s such a cool moment. What makes it so cool is this story of Moana. I feel a deep connection to it, it’s my culture. I am proudly half-Samoan, half-black. It’s in my blood. To tell a story inspired by the South Pacific is truly a great honor,” he told the crowd at the time.

“Moana” sails into theaters on November 23, 2016.

— Jesse Spero