It’s pretty safe to say most little girls have dreamed of being a Disney Princess.
That dream has become a reality for 14-year-old Hawaiian newcomer Auli’i Cravalho, who is set to take the lead as Moana Waialiki – the first Polynesian princess.
The film, which is slated for release late next year, will centre around Princess Moana, who is determined to use her incredible navigational skills to fulfil her ancestor’s unfinished quest on the high seas.
Moana teams up with her hero, demi-god Maui, who will be played by Samoan actor and wrestler Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson and her pet pig, Pua.
Partners in crime: Princess Moana and Maui, the demi-god.
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In a video released by Disney, Auli’I reveals how the Disney casting directors handpicked her out of a pool of 2,000 actresses to take on the role of Moana.
“When I first heard that there was going to be an audition to potentially play the role of Moana,” the 14-year-old said, “I thought, ‘No way’.”
Auli’i explained that the casting directors had her ab-lib a line as if “they had given her the part” – and then they did!
“They tricked me!” she reveals.
Princess Auli’i! Auli’i lives in the town of Mililani with her mother, Puanani.
And Auli’i’s casting as Moana has definitely fulfilled some childhood dreams!
Speaking to People, Auli’i revealed that she dreamed of being a Disney princess as a little girl.
“From baby time to now, I wanted to be a Disney princess and then I wanted to be a singer or an actress,” the 14-year-old recalled.
And now she’s all three!
“Moana is such an amazing character,” said Auli’i. “She’s brave, she is so empowered, she knows what she wants and she’s not afraid to get it, and I think that’s something that I can relate to as well. I just love watching how she goes along in this wonderful movie and grows as a person and helps her culture along the way.”
Moana is set for release on November 23, 2016.
Watch Moana and Auli’i in action in the video below!
