But something that I wasn’t expecting to appreciate so much about Moana 2 is getting the chance to see the animated character grow and mature. When CinemaBlend spoke to the princess’s voice actress, Auli’i Cravalho,

NEW YORK -- Moana returns to the big screen this week to take us on a new adventure through Hawaii and Auli'i Cravalho returns as Moana alongside stars like the Rock and Nicole Scherzinger. But this is more than just a movie for Cravalho - it's a coming-of-age story and a dream come true.

"I feel so grateful to have a film where our heroine is a young woman of Pacific Island descent." Actress Auli'i Cravalho is proud to return to her role of "Moana" in the film's sequel.

"Moana 2" star Auli'i Cravalho opened up about her family's financial struggles as achild before she landed her breakthrough role in the Disney film.

When Auli'i Cravalho was cast in Disney's "Moana," the teen and her mom were living on food stamps. Cravalho, who voices the titular chieftan's daughter in "Moana," said in a recent interview with "People" that the pair were squeezed into a one-bedroom apartment in the Hawaiian city of Mililani when she got her big break.

Auli’i Cravalho’s breakout role as "Moana" was a transformative moment for both her budding career and her family’s journey.