Auli’i Cravalho is living every girl's fantasy of being a princess. The Mililani, Oahu native is the voice of Moana in the new Disney movie. The teen landed the role after displaying “a certainfearlessness in her auditions and callbacks” said John Musker, who is to directthe animated film.
In a pressrelease about the film, John continued: “She has a playful, mischievous wit. Shecan project vulnerability, she doesn’t seem intimidated at all by thechallenges ahead and her Polynesian background has helped her shape herconnection to family, hard work and music. These are all qualities she shareswith Moana.”
Auli'i was the last girl to audition on the last day Photo: Hugh E. Gentry/Disney
So who isthis feisty 14-year-old? To get to knowthe young star, HELLO! put together five fun facts about the aspiringactress:
1. Auli’i didn’t audition for the partof Moana because she didn’t think she was good enough. Speaking to People magazine, she said: “I wasgetting through my freshman year, and there were already so many greatsubmissions over YouTube.”
2. She was discovered by a castingagent when she spotted her singing at a local charity competition. Auli’i wasquickly sent to Los Angeles to meet directors Ron Clements and John Musker, and they thought she was perfect for the part.
3. She is really excited about working withDwayne "The Rock" Johnson, who will play a demigod called Maui whom Moana meets during hertravels. “I am very excited about that, my gosh. I’ve never heard him singbefore so it’s going to be really interesting!”
Auli'i will have a friend in Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson Photo: Disney
4. Auli’i will be the first Polynesian Disney Princess ever!
5. The actress, who has honed hersinging skills in the glee club at school, has always dreamed of being a DisneyPrincess. “From baby time to now, I wanted to be a Disney Princess and then Iwanted to be a singer or an actress,” she told People Magazine.
