AuliÊ»i Cravalho looks back at ‘Moana’s impact on life

Moana has changed the life of Auliʻi Cravalho. She was just 16 years old when she first worked in the franchise. Years later, she is reprising her iconic character in the sequel.

“Playing Moana has been the opportunity of a lifetime — voicing a character who isn’t afraid to grab a demigod by the ear and take him on a journey across the sea is a ton of fun,” the actress told NBC News.

Cravalho also said the sequel depicted her character as a leader she became after the original film’s events.

“As we meet her in this sequel, three years have passed in the ‘Moanaverse,’” she noted. “To be able to watch Moana grow into the leader she was always meant to be is incredibly special, and I know I’m not the only one excited to see just how far she’ll go!”

Elsewhere in the interview, Cravalho said she proudly embraces her mixed descent, which includes roots in her own Native Hawaiian descent, Puerto Rican ancestry, and Chinese, Irish, and Portuguese ancestry.

“I’m of proud mixed descent and grew up with many traditions in my house!” the 24-year-old gushed.