What is Auliʻi Cravalho's ethnicity? Moana 2 voice actress's nationality, heritage, and career explored

With the release of Moana 2 in November 2024, many fans must be curious about its lead voice actress Auliʻi Cravalho's ethnicity. She has been associated with the Disney animated film since the first installment and has also starred in several other projects.

Born on November 22, 2000, in Kohala, Hawaii the Moana 2 voice actress has a rich multicultural heritage which includes Native Hawaiian, Puerto Rican, Chinese, Irish, and Portuguese descent. Auliʻi Cravalho proudly embraces her diverse background as it's a huge part of her identity.

In 2016, a 16-year-old Cravalho was cast as the lead voice actor in the animated movie, Moana. Her skills were discovered through a talent contest where she gave a remarkable performance and proved to be an incredible actor with a great voice.

Soon after the release of Moana, Auliʻi Cravalho gained widespread recognition. Her voice role opened doors for numerous opportunities in the entertainment industry and she has now transformed into an acclaimed American actress and singer. Continue reading to explore Auliʻi Cravalho's roles other than Moana.

Exploring Moana 2 voice actress Auliʻi Cravalho's ethnicity and career

Auliʻi Cravalho leads the Moana voice cast ( Image Source: IG @auliicravalho)

As mentioned above, Moana 2 voice actress Auliʻi Cravalho is a Puerto Rican, Native Hawaiian, one-quarter Portuguese, Chinese, and Irish. While she reprised her iconic role in Moana 2 which focuses on the character's growth as a leader, Cravalho also played roles in:

1) NBC's Rise (2018): Auliʻi Cravalho, the star behind Moana 2 played the role of a character named Lilette Suarez in the drama that focused on a high school teacher program.

2) Netflix's All Together Now (2020): The actress took on the lead role of Amber Appleton, a teen navigating various issues in life after her father's death. In this film, Amber becomes a homeless teen who is then helped by her group of friends.

3) The Power (2023): In this sci-fi drama series, the Moana 2 star plays a teenager Jos Cleary-Lopez who has mysterious powers. In this TV series, girls suddenly develop a mysterious ability to electrocute people.

4) Cabaret on Broadway: The actress played a character named Sally Bowles in the Broadway musical, where she showcased her skills and confidence.

5) Mean Girls (2024): The Moana 2 star also played the outcast Janis 'Imi'ike in the teen musical comedy film, inspired by the original 2004 film.

6) Crush (2022): In this film, Cravalho helmed one of the key characters AJ Campos, the co-captain of Miller High School's track team.

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Cravalho's diverse roles throughout the years highlight her versatility, as she isn't just a talented voice artist, but also a rising star. She has also been a part of TV specials like Lego Disney Princess: The Castle Quest, The Little Mermaid Live!, and Harmonious Live!

Auliʻi Cravalho talks about how her life changed after Moana's success

Moana (Image Source: Walt Disney Pictures)

Auliʻi Cravalho's journey to becoming a successful actress is undoubtedly inspiring and impressive. She was cast as the voice of Moana in the Disney movie in 2016 and was able to build her career after its success. During her interview with People Magazine, Cravalho opened up about her early life.

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The Moana 2 star's life was marked by her mother's sacrifices who used to sleep on a couch and let her daughter sleep inside a bedroom. They lived in a one-bedroom apartment, but Moana's success allowed Auliʻi Cravalho to buy a house for her mother and support her retirement. She said:

"I really get to have that full decade look back at just how much growth I’ve gone through."

She added:

"We lived in a one-bedroom apartment in Mililani when I was cast. I slept in the bedroom, my mom slept on the couch. She gave me everything."

Cravalho's parents got separated when she was young. The actress spoke about it in the interview saying she is grateful for what they've done for her. She stays connected with both of them and continues to move forward in her life.