For all you Disney fans with little girls, we have heard exciting news this week! Walt Disney Animation Studios just announced they have found the voice for their newest Disney Princess, Moana. 14-year-old native Hawaiian newcomer, Auli’i Cravalho, has been cast as the voice of film’s title character. She joins Dwayne Johnson in the big-screen adventure about a spirited and fearless teenager named Moana (voice of Cravalho) who, with help from demi-god Maui (voice of Johnson), sets out on a daring mission to prove herself a master wayfinder.
I just love the diversity and direction that Walt Disney Animation Studios has had with developing and casting new and different heroines. Young girls of all ages have a variety of Disney Princesses that they can relate to and bringing on this new Pacific Island Princess reaches a whole new audience.
In “Moana,” Walt Disney Animation Studios’ upcoming big-screen adventure, a spirited teenager named Moana (left) sails out on a daring mission to prove herself a master way finder. ©2015 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
I love the story of how they came to cast Cravalho:
While hundreds of talented people from across the Pacific Islands were eager to try out for the role, Cravalho set her sights firmly on her sophomore year of high school. “I didn’t think I would have a chance,” she said. “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.”
Fortunately, the film’s Hawai’i casting director remembered an unrelated audition Cravalho did as part of an a cappella group, which had been submitted for a talent showcase for a charity. Feeling the local teen would be perfect for the Disney role, she tracked her and her mother down and invited Cravalho to audition. “Her audition was fantastic – she was such a raw talent,” said producer Osnat Shurer. “Auli’i was among a small number of girls we brought back for a second round of auditions. Then we flew her and her mom over to audition at our studios in Burbank.”
“Auli’i demonstrated a certain fearlessness in her auditions and call-backs,” said director John Musker. “She has a playful, mischievous wit. She can project vulnerability, she doesn’t seem intimidated at all by the challenges ahead, and her Polynesian background has helped shape her connection to family, hard work and music. These are all qualities she shares with Moana.”
Moana Arrives in Theaters in November 23, 2016
I can’t wait for this newest princess. And event though my daughter is past the princess stage, I know she will enjoy meeting her too. November 2016 seems WAY too far away. In the meantime, check out the trailer and make sure you follow the Moana social channels to learn more:
Like MOANA on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/disneymoana
