Moana Star Auliʻi Cravalho Brought Hawaiian Pride to the Red Carpet Premiere
Last night, Native Hawaiian actor Auliʻi Cravalho had quite the special evening: Not only did she attend the Hawaiian premiere of Moana 2, releasing November 27 (in which she voices the titular Disney character), but she also rang in her 24th birthday. “Returning for Moana 2 truly feels like coming home,” says Cravalho. “I was cast as Moana at 14 years old, and [now] I celebrated my 24th birthday at midnight. Knowing that Moana had also grown up since we last saw her—three years have passed in Motunui between our films—was incredibly exciting to me, as Moana is the first Disney princess to age. That growth is pivotal to this sequel, as Moana is going even further beyond the reef to connect all of the people across the Pacific.”
Stepping right back into character was a natural experience for Cravalho, who spent many weeks in the recording booth voicing the new tale. “Being in the recording booth is my happy place—I love getting into character in any and every wacky way I can,” says Cravalho. This time around, the star says the film follows Moana as she journeys to the far seas of Oceania, after receiving an unexpected call from her ancestors. “We meet Tautai Moana, our master way finder, at her bravest and boldest at the start of our film,” says Cravalho. “She is searching far and wide, sailing to distant islands in search of new communities of people. This quest to connect the Pacific peoples will take her even further than before, introducing a quirky crew who each embody ancient Polynesian knowledge: canoe building, farming, and storytelling. Moana’s new team battles new villains, meets new demigods, sings all new songs, and Pua and Hei Hei are coming too!”
Of course, given it was such a special evening, Cravalho had to bring a stellar red carpet look for the occasion—with the assist of stylist Jessica Paster, makeup artist Kirin Bhatty, and hairstylist Cynthia Alvarez. For the Moana 2 press tour, the star says she wanted to take a more intentional approach, spotlighting local talent through fashion. “Showcasing Hawaiian and Pacific Island designers was a must for this press tour,” says Cravalho. “I wanted to celebrate Pacific artistry every step of the way—from my nail artist, Ashley Dieron-Baginski, to the jewelry by Lahaʻole designs.” The star adds that she has been researching Pacific designers—often by scrolling on Instagram—for the past six months in preparation for the press tour. And it was through her stylist, Paster, that she came across the work of Samoan designer Afa Ah Loo.
“I had a very particular idea of spotlighting momi keʻokeʻo, sea shells, for our Hawai’i premiere look,” says Cravalho. “We presented this challenge to Afa Ah Loo, who cleverly strung individual white Dovetail shells into a cape-like shape reminiscent of Hawaiian ʻahu ʻula—a feather cloak worn by ancient Hawaiian royalty.” Pairing it against a modern crop top and black dress trousers, the look was the perfect juxtaposition of traditional yet contemporary. “This was the first time I was so active in helping to design a custom look, and Afa surpassed what I had envisioned,” says Cravalho.
The thoughtful fashion didn’t end at the red carpet, either. Post-premiere, Cravalho celebrated her birthday with a second statement look by Afa Ah Loo. “His brown floral suit with the classic hibiscus pattern had me feeling like a girl-boss, and the hand sewn shell dress and sand colored jacket became my celebratory twenty-fourth birthday fit,” she says. The star adds that there are a variety of striking, diverse designs to be found in her native homelands. “I firmly believe in and work to highlight the creativity and thoughtfulness of Pacific Island creators; writers, filmmakers and designers alike,” she says.
You can expect to see even more Hawaiian-made looks to come out of her press tour for Moana 2, which continues throughout next week. After that, Cravalho will be heading right into a slew of other projects. “For the first time in a while, I am truly booked and busy,” she says. “I am currently playing Sally Bowles in Cabaret on Broadway, and return to the show as soon as soon as the Moana festivities are over. I am endlessly grateful to continue down the path of portraying powerful leading ladies, and I hope to continue to do so.”
Below, see how Cravalho got ready for the Moana 2 premiere.
Photo: Lauren Trujillo1/7
Photo: Lauren Trujillo2/7
