While in Los Angeles for the Moana Red Carpet Premiere, we had the opportunity to meet and interview former Pussycat Doll, Nicole Scherzinger, who plays Moana’s mother, Sina in the movie. She was so sweet and we learned more about her focus & drive as a women in entertainment.
Nicole Scherzinger Photo Credit: Louise Bishop of MomStart.com
While Moana’s mother has a small role, the woman who lends her voice to the character is strong powerful. This powerhouse of a entertainer – she is a singer, an actress, a dancer (Dancing with the Stars Mirror Ball Champion!), a judge & coach (America’s Got Talent), and a really smart woman. Before I learned I was interviewing Nicole Scherzinger, I didn’t know much more about her other than a former member of the Pussycat Dolls. But after I did my research, I was so impressed with how much this woman has done – she has Hustle! – and I was excited to meet her.
I Didn’t Want to Be a Part of this Project, I Felt I HAD to…..
Tell us why you wanted to be a part of this project and how it came to be.
Well I didn’t want to be a part of the project. I felt I had to be a part of the project, and that’s because I’m from Hawaiian descent. I knew that the movie was going to be about the Polynesian people. So it’s the story of our people. Where we come from. And I’m just so proud that Disney did right by us. And stayed true to our culture, where we come from, our power, our people, our lifeline and just told a beautiful story about a young girl.
It wasn’t a love story, it was a heroine story about a young girl’s journey, which we can all relate to, about discovering who we really are and what we’re meant for. What our purpose and our destiny is. And that’s a beautiful story. I have the honor of playing Moana’s mother, Sina.
Nicole Scherzinger Photo Credit: Louise Bishop of MomStart.com
They were trying to give me a backstory. And I was like, please, I lived this, I lived with my mother and my tutu, which means grandmother in Hawaiian. In our culture, the men are the head of the household, but the women are the backbone. They are everything. They are the strength. They keep it together. And in my family, my tutu had twenty-one births and eighteen children that survived. So my tutu already has like seventy-five grandchildren and great grandchildren combined. We have a really, really big family at home. So I just felt like I had to be a part of this.
In terms of your character, Sina, was there a certain thing that you brought more into the character from your personal self?
It was interesting because in the script they had a couple different readings, like different ways they wanted to get the story across. Especially the part where she’s trying to explain to her daughter that you can’t go be on the reef. Trying to explain because, uh, you know, your father’s been there and he’s had a great loss and he’s just trying to protect you. And I you have to draw from a personal connection.
She [Sina] says, Moana, sometimes who you are and who you want to be, is not always meant to be. And I drew from my mother. My mom and my tutu and all the women in my family have sacrificed everything for their children. I’m sure they had their own dreams and aspirations. And I know my mother didn’t mean to have me at such a young age. I know we have made sacrifices for the better. Or what we think is for the better. Right? But then in the end she does know that she trusts Moana and allows her to go and find her destiny.
I Believe We are All Made for a Purpose…..
Did you ever think that you would be where you are now when you first started out?
The honest answer to that is no. And it’s interesting, my life has taken different paths. I don’t regret anything, and I’m very grateful for everything. I believe we’re all made for a purpose. A great purpose. And I haven’t got there yet.
I came up with this because in interviews people are usually like, ‘Wow, you’ve done so much. What is there left to do?’ I think that’s funny, because I feel like I’m just scratching at the surface and just using a fraction of my potential.
Now I’m carving that time out now for myself to create what I feel like I was made to create. So I have something that I want to create and that will be my legacy that I want to leave behind.
I’m very grateful for where I am. Everything happens. You have to look at it and be like this is what led me to be here, let me run and grow from this. But this is where I really see myself and this is where God made me. So let me get myself on track and focus and get it together.
It was a delight getting to know Nicole Scherzinger. She was gracious to hang around and take photos with all of us after the interview, even though she had a full day of interviews ahead of her. Make sure you look out for Sina in Moana. It’s a beautiful role and hearing form Nicole, make me love it even more.
Moana is in theaters now! Have you seen it yet?
Other Articles from the Moana, The BFG Blu-ray Event, ABC TV Event & Stuck in the Middle Event you may enjoy:
I’m Heading to the #MoanaEvent
Walk the Moana Red Carpet with Me
She’s Not a Princess Mom, She’s a Hero!
Exclusive Interview with Moana’s Maui, The Rock
That Time I Met Musical Genius Lin-Manuel Miranda
Exclusive Interview with Moana’s Auli’i Carvalho
A Conversation with the Cast of Disney Channel’s Stuck in the Middle
Holiday Gift Guide for Moana: Moana-Inspired Gifts
The BFG Blu-Ray: A Perfect Holiday Gift
Behind the Scenes on the Set of Speechless
A Conversation with The BFG Roald Dahl’s Daughter, Lucy Dahl
Behind the Scenes on the Set of ABC’s Dr. Ken
Nicole Scherzinger Had To Play the Role of Moana’s Mother
6 Fun Facts About Moana from Directors Ron Musker & John Clements
Disclaimer: Disney sent me to Los Angeles on an all-expenses paid press trip, in exchange for my coverage of the red carpet premiere of Moana. All opinions are my own.
