Lead ‘Moana’ Actress Departs Disney Moments After Wrapping Sequel For Competitor

Auli’i Cravalho might be a name you recognize due to her affiliation with Disney, but the actress is moving on from the House of Mouse beginning next week.

Moana, released in 2016 by Walt Disney Animation Studios, quickly became one of the studio’s most beloved animated films. Directed by Ron Clements and John Musker, Moana tells the story of a brave young Polynesian girl who embarks on a daring journey to save her island and discover her true destiny. The film was a massive commercial success, earning $687+ million globally at the box office, and was praised for its stunning animation, cultural authenticity, and memorable music.

The film follows Moana Waialiki (voiced by Auli’i Cravalho), a curious and determined daughter of the chief of the Polynesian island of Motunui. From a young age, Moana feels drawn to the ocean, but her father forbids her from venturing beyond the reef.

However, when the island’s resources begin to dwindle due to a mysterious curse, Moana sets sail on a journey to find the demigod Maui (voiced by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson) and restore the heart of Te Fiti, a goddess whose stolen heart is the source of the island’s troubles.

Throughout her adventure, Moana faces numerous challenges, including massive ocean waves, mythical creatures, and Maui’s reluctance to help. Along the way, she discovers her own inner strength and leadership, proving herself as the future leader of her people. The film’s themes of self-discovery, courage, and respect for nature resonated with audiences worldwide.

In Moana, Auli’i Cravalho voices the determined and adventurous protagonist, Moana, who embarks on a quest to restore balance to her world. She is joined by Dwayne Johnson as Maui, a shape-shifting demigod who reluctantly assists her on her journey. Rachel House portrays Gramma Tala, Moana’s wise and supportive grandmother, who encourages her to follow her heart.

Temuera Morrison plays Chief Tui, Moana’s protective father, who wishes to keep her safe on their island. Jemaine Clement voices Tamatoa, a giant, treasure-hoarding crab that Moana and Maui encounter along the way.

Cravalho’s performance as Moana was widely praised for its warmth, strength, and sincerity, helping to bring the character to life. Her vocal talents were especially evident in the film’s hit song “How Far I’ll Go”, which was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song.

The track became an anthem of empowerment for young viewers around the world and solidified Cravalho as a rising star.

Following her breakout role in Moana, Auli’i Cravalho continued to expand her career in both film and television. In 2018, she starred in the NBC musical drama Rise, playing Lilette Suarez, a high school student who takes the lead role in her school’s production of Spring Awakening.

Though the series was short-lived, Cravalho’s performance was well-received.

Cravalho also starred in Netflix’s 2020 film All Together Now, in which she played Amber Appleton, a musically gifted teen facing personal struggles. The role further demonstrated her versatility as an actress and singer.

In 2019, Cravalho reprised her role as Moana in a live-action television event for The Wonderful World of Disney: The Little Mermaid Live! where she portrayed Ariel in the live performances, showcasing her vocal range once again.

Moana remains one of Disney’s most popular animated films, praised for its beautiful animation, catchy songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda, and authentic representation of Polynesian culture.

The movie’s empowering message of following your heart and trusting in your own abilities resonated deeply with audiences, and its soundtrack continues to be beloved by fans of all ages.

For Auli’i Cravalho, her role as Moana marked the beginning of a promising career in Hollywood, and she continues to captivate audiences with her talent and dedication to meaningful storytelling.

Then, Disney confirmed that the Moana Disney+ sequel would actually be a theatrical film.

The overwhelming anticipation for Moana 2 is evident in the viral success of its teaser trailer, which garnered 178 million views in just 24 hours. This surpasses the viewership of other Disney animated sequels, including Inside Out 2 and Frozen 2.

You can watch the trailer below.

This shift in Disney’s strategy highlights the company’s renewed focus on theatrical releases following Bob Iger’s return as CEO. Initially conceived as a streaming series, Moana 2 was transformed into a theatrical film due to its immense popularity and potential for success.

Directors David Derrick Jr. and Jason Hand, veteran storyboard artists at Disney, played a crucial role in convincing Disney executives to prioritize a theatrical release. Their work on the project showcased its potential and generated widespread excitement within the studio.

Moana 2 marks a significant shift in Disney’s approach to balancing theatrical and streaming releases. The studio’s decision to prioritize theatrical releases reflects a broader industry trend as companies rethink their strategies.

Disney has also included Moana as a heavy IP in its theme parks. Not only can you meet Moana, but at Walt Disney World Resort, EPCOT has recently opened a new walk-through attraction called Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana.

It has been confirmed by CineMundoUS that Moana 2 has wrapped recording, and that, “Auli’i Cravalho had her last recording session earlier this week.”

Disney’s ‘MOANA 2’ has officially wrapped voice recording. Auli’i Cravalho had her last recording session earlier this week. #Moana2 hits theaters November 27. pic.twitter.com/tWFzWq1DB1

— Disney’s Moana 2 (@CineMundoUS) September 10, 2024

A live-action version of the film is also confirmed, with Dwayne Johnson returning as Maui and Catherine Laga’aia as Moana.

Auli’i Cravalho Departs Disney

With Moana behind her, Auli’i Cravalho is moving onto a new project, on a new stage that is a direct competitor to the theater space that Disney is looking to dominate.

Below, you can see the new promotional trailer for her new show.

“The #KitKatClub is proud to present Adam Lambert as Emcee and Auli’i Cravalho as Sally Bowles from September 16.”

Repost from @kitkatclubnyc IG
The #KitKatClub is proud to present Adam Lambert as Emcee and Auli’i Cravalho as Sally Bowles from September 16. pic.twitter.com/i9p3P1zvvw

— The Lambrits ❤️Here for Adam Lambert (@LambritsUK) September 10, 2024

Broadway’s Kit Kat Club is set to welcome new talent this fall, as Adam Lambert and Auli’i Cravalho will take on the roles of the Emcee and Sally Bowles in Cabaret starting September 16.

Both actors will be making their Broadway debuts in the John Kander and Fred Ebb revival, with their limited engagement running through March 30, 2025. Eddie Redmayne and Gayle Rankin, the current Emcee and Sally, will give their final performances on September 14.

Sally Bowles, the main character in Cabaret, is a complex and deeply flawed figure. A British singer performing at the Kit Kat Club in 1930s Berlin, Sally is known for her wild, carefree lifestyle. She exudes confidence, charm, and a rebellious spirit, living in a world of decadence, but beneath that facade, she is fragile and lost. Sally uses her bold, flirtatious personality to hide her fears of commitment, her insecurities, and her inability to confront the political chaos rising around her.

She often escapes into temporary pleasures, indulging in alcohol and fleeting relationships, resisting the idea of settling down or facing reality.

Sally’s character contrasts sharply with typical Disney characters, who often embody optimism, innocence, and moral clarity. In Disney films, protagonists are usually on a journey of self-discovery and growth, learning important life lessons along the way. They often represent ideals like courage, kindness, and resilience, and their stories tend to have hopeful resolutions.

Sally, on the other hand, is more morally ambiguous.

Her story doesn’t follow a conventional path of growth or redemption. She rejects stability and avoids confronting the world’s harsh truths, preferring to live in denial, which can lead to tragic consequences. Unlike a Disney heroine, who typically faces challenges head-on with a clear sense of purpose, Sally remains stuck in her self-destructive patterns, symbolizing the darker side of human nature and the complexities of life during tumultuous times.

Clearly, we can see that Auli’i Cravalho is looking to shed that aura of innocence she is known for with this new, more adult-themed role.

Would you like to see Auli’i Cravalho on Broadway?