Auliʻi Cravalho
She answered a casting call on a whim and became the vibrant, groundbreaking voice of Disney's first Polynesian princess.
Born 2000 (age 26)·American actress·Birthday: November 22·Generation Z
Biography
Auliʻi Cravalho was a high school sophomore in Mililani, Hawaii, with no professional acting experience when a casting director found her. The search for the voice of Moana had nearly ended without success, but Cravalho's audition tape, submitted by her mother, changed everything. Her powerful, emotive singing and natural charisma captured the spirit of the adventurous wayfinder perfectly. Overnight, she became the face and voice of a cultural milestone, bringing warmth, determination, and stunning vocal prowess to a role that resonated globally. Rather than immediately moving to Hollywood, she prioritized finishing high school, navigating fame with a grounded perspective. She has since used her platform to advocate for Native Hawaiian representation and environmental causes, while expanding her career into live-action television and returning to the role that started it all.
Generation Z
1997–2012
Born into smartphones, social media, and school shootings. The most diverse generation in history. Pragmatic about money, fluid about identity, anxious about the climate. They do not remember a world before the internet.
Auliʻi was born in 2000, placing them squarely in the Generation Z. The events that shaped this generation — social media, climate anxiety, and a pandemic — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Auliʻi Was Born
The biggest hits of 2000
#1 Movie
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Best Picture
Gladiator
#1 TV Show
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire
Auliʻi's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
2000Born
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2005Started school
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2013Became a teenager
Edward Snowden reveals NSA surveillance programs
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $152,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Thrift Shop" — Macklemore & Ryan LewisBest Picture: 12 Years a Slave
2016Could drive
Donald Trump elected president; Brexit vote
Gas: $2.14/galHome: $181,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Love Yourself" — Justin BieberBest Picture: Moonlight
2018Could vote
Royal wedding of Harry and Meghan; Parkland shooting
Gas: $2.72/galHome: $211,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"God's Plan" — DrakeBest Picture: Green Book
2021Turned 21
January 6 Capitol breach; COVID vaccines roll out globally
Gas: $3.01/galHome: $298,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Levitating" — Dua LipaBest Picture: CODA
2026Age 26 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Made her professional debut as the voice of the titular character in Disney's animated film 'Moana' (2016).
- Became the first actress of Hawaiian descent to voice a Disney princess.
- Reprised her role as Moana in the 2024 sequel, 'Moana 2.'
- Starred in the NBC live musical production 'Hairspray Live!' (2016) as Penny Pingleton.
- Landed a lead role in the Amazon Prime Video series 'The Power' (2023).
Did You Know?
She was discovered at the age of 14 after casting directors had nearly finished their search for Moana.
She shares a birthday (November 22) with her 'Moana' co-star, Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson.
Her first name, Auliʻi, means 'delicate and beautiful' in Hawaiian.
She graduated from high school in Hawaii after the massive success of 'Moana.'
“I was just a girl from Hawaii singing in my room for a tape my mom sent in.”
