Meet the Voice of Disney's New Princess, Moana

Walt Disney Animation has announced Auli’i Cravalho as the voice of Moana

Walt Disney Animation Studios has announced (via People) that Auli’i Cravalho of Oahu has landed the role of Moana in the November 23, 2016 release.

“From baby time to now, I wanted to be a Disney princess and then I wanted to be a singer or an actress,” says the 14-year-old Cravalho, “Moana is such an amazing character. 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.”

While confirmed for the lead role of Moana Waialiki, a young girl who goes on a monster-packed sea voyage, Cravalho also confirmed that her co-star Dwayne Johnson (Furious 7, San Andreas) will actually sing as the demi-god Maui who aids her on the journey.

In the ancient South Pacific world of Oceania, Moana, a born navigator, sets sail in search of a fabled island. During her incredible journey, she teams up with her hero, the legendary demi-god Maui, to traverse the open ocean on an action-packed voyage, encountering enormous sea creatures, breathtaking underworlds and ancient folklore.

Directed by animation vets Ron Clements and John Musker (The Little Mermaid), Moana will be released on November 23, 2016.

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MOANA visual development. Artist: Bill Schwab, MOANA Art Director, Characters.
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MAUI visual development. Artist: Bill Schwab, MOANA Art Director, Characters.
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MOANA village costume designs. Artist: Neysa Bové, Visual Development Artist.
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MAUI Hawk visual development. Artist: Bill Schwab, MOANA Art Director, Characters
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MOANA village costume design. Artist: Neysa Bové, Visual Development Artist.
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MOANA effects progression image, featuring Animation (top), Simulation (middle), and Render (bottom) passes.
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Visual development for the island of Motunui. Artist: Ian Gooding, MOANA Production Designer.
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Visual development for the island of Motunui, and the layout of the village. Artist: Andy Harkness, MOANA Art Director, Environments and Color.
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MOANA visual development. Artist: Bill Schwab, MOANA Art Director, Characters.
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MOANA visual development. Artist: Jin Kim, Visual Development Artist.
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"MINI MAUI" animation test still frame. Artist: Eric Goldberg, Animation Supervisor.
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"MINI MAUI" expression sheet. Artist: Eric Goldberg, Animation Supervisor.
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The MOANA story team was charged with saving the character "Heihei" from being cut from the film. These story boards illustrate an action sequence from the film in which the Kakamora are trying to steal the Heart of Te Fiti from Moana and Maui. In the initial version (top row), the Kakamora steal the heart and are pursued by Moana who captures it back. In the new versoin (bottom row), rooster Heihei first swallows the Heart of Te Fiti, and the chase ensues between the Kakamora and Moana, only this time they're fighting to maintain posession of Heihei. Artist: Sunmee Joh, Story Artist.
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MOANA story boards inspired by research trip to Samoa. Features Story Artist David Derrick's family tapa print. Artist: David Derrick, Story Artist.
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MOANA story boards inspired by research trip to Samoa. Artist: David Derrick, Story Artist.
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MOANA story artist, David Derrick, learns tapa painting during a research trip.
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The MOANA filmmakers embarked upon research trips to the Pacific Islands to learn about the cultures that inspired the film. They were given the opportunity to assemble the "Oceanic Story Trust," a group of anthropologists, archeologists, fishermen, liguists, tatto masters, dancers and elders who help keep the film's story grounded in respect for the cultures that inspired it.
Alan Tudyk is Heihei

ALAN TUDYK, Walt Disney Animation Studios’ lucky charm (“Zootopia,” “Wreck-It Ralph,” “Big Hero 6”), is behind the voice of HEIHEI, a dumb rooster who accidently stows away on Moana’s canoe. ©2016 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
Temuera Morrison is Chief Tui & Nicole Scherzinger is Sina

TEMUERA MORRISON (“Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones,” “Once Were Warriors,” “Six Days, Seven Nights”) voices Moana’s father, CHIEF TUI, the gregarious and well-respected leader of the people of Motunui Island. NICOLE SCHERZINGER (Grammy®-nominated singer, West End's "Cats") voices Moana’s mother, SINA, who always has her daughter’s back. Playful, sharp and strong-willed, Sina appreciates Moana’s longing to be on the water, but also wants to protect her daughter from the fabled dangers beyond the reef. ©2016 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
Rachel House is Gramma Tala

RACHEL HOUSE (“Whale Rider,” “Hunt for the Wilderpeople”) voices GRAMMA TALA, Moana’s confidante and best friend, who shares her granddaughter’s special connection to the ocean. ©2016 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
Jemaine Clement is Tamatoa

JEMAINE CLEMENT (“The BFG,” “Despicable Me,” “Rio,” “Rio 2,” “What We Do in the Shadows,” Flight of the Conchords) provides the voice of TAMATOA, a self-absorbed, 50-foot crab who lives in Lalotai, the realm of monsters. ©2016 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
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Young Moana interacting with the Ocean.
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MOANA is an adventurous, tenacious and compassionate 16-year-old who sails out on a daring mission to save her people. Along the way, she discovers the one thing she's always sought: her own identity. Directed by the renowned filmmaking team of Ron Clements and John Musker (“The Little Mermaid,” “Aladdin,” “The Princess & the Frog”) and featuring newcomer Auli'I Cravalho as the voice of Moana, Walt Disney Animation Studios' “Moana” sails into U.S. theaters on Nov. 23, 2016. ©2016 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
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MAUI is a demigod—half god, half mortal, all awesome. Charismatic and funny, he wields a magical fishhook that allows him to shapeshift into all kinds of animals and pull up islands from the sea. Featuring Dwayne Johnson as the voice of Maui, Walt Disney Animation Studios' “Moana” sails into U.S. theaters on Nov. 23, 2016. ©2016 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
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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 wayfinder. Along the way, she meets once-mighty demi-god Maui (right). Featuring Native Hawaiian newcomer Auli'i Cravalho as the voice of Moana, and Dwayne Johnson as the voice of Maui, "Moana" sails into U.S. theaters on Nov. 23, 2016. ©2015 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
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Inner Workings