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Auli‘i Cravalho was cast as the voice of Moana at just 14 years old. Now, at 23, she’s returning to the role that she says “changed her life.”

“Moana 2,” the sequel to the 2016 Disney animated film “Moana,” is set to be released in theaters on Nov. 27, with Cravalho coming back as the voice of the titular character that marked her acting debut.

“I feel like I’ve gotten to grow right alongside the character,” she tells TODAY.com about reprising the role.

In the first movie, Moana is chosen by the ocean to restore the heart of the goddess Te Fiti. With help from the demigod Maui, voiced by Dwayne Johnson, Moana sails out on a mission to restore the balance of the ocean and save her island, Motunui.

The sequel continues the adventures of Moana and Maui. This time, the duo embarks on a new voyage into the perilous waters of Oceania, facing challenges and discovering long-lost secrets.

Cravalho says that Moana sets out on a journey of self-discovery and growth in the new film, which resonates with Cravalho’s own aspirations.

“She goes on this whole journey of finding herself as well as saving her people,” she says. “I don’t think that I have the same hero’s journey, necessarily, but I will say that I do genuinely feel that I have been given such a blessing to have this platform.”

Cravalho, who recently partnered with Kuleana Coral Restoration and cat food company SHEBA on coral reef restoration efforts, has used her platform to make significant strides in the film industry as an advocate for greater representation of Pacific Islanders.

On May 19, 2023, she announced on Instagram that she would not be reprising her role as Moana in the live-action remake of the animated film, which is currently set to premiere in theaters on July 10, 2026.

“I am truly honored to pass this baton to the next young woman of Pacific Island decent, to honor our incredible Pacific peoples, cultures and communities that help inspire her story, and I look forward to all the beautiful Pacific representation to come,” she said in the video.

Cravalho echoed these comments during an interview with TODAY.com in January 2024, saying she loves that "the 'Moana' universe is growing.”

“You find someone who is near to 16; you find someone who has a beautiful singing voice; you find someone who is unknown; you find someone who is of the Pacific Islands,” Cravalho explained. “When I talk about representation, I want to throw the door wide open. I want there to be Pacific Island representation in front as well as behind the camera.”

On June 12, Disney shared in a press release that 17-year-old Australian actor Catherine Laga‘aia is set to lead the live-action film opposite Johnson, who will reprise his role as Maui.

Cravalho tells TODAY.com in her July interview that she is happy for Laga‘aia “to be taking on this role.”

“Passing that baton — or passing that oar — feels really good because I know that this role changed my life,” she says. “And I know that this will do the same for her as well.”

Cravalho views her role as Moana as a significant breakthrough in her career and believes that this opportunity could be equally transformative for Laga‘aia.

“I have no ego in watching another young woman shine,” she says.

Cravalho, instead, serves as an executive producer on the live-action adaptation, a new endeavor that makes her “really excited.”

“Being an executive producer on the project has allowed me to humbly take a step back and say, ‘I don’t know a lot about this. I don’t know about budgets. I don’t know about location scouting’,” she says, “but it’s a joy to work with the team and expand my knowledge in that sense.”

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