Three years ago Auli‘i Cravalho was just another ninth-grader at Kamehameha Schools. Two years ago she was cast in the title role of Disney’s animated adventure “Moana.”
The film was nominated for Academy Awards in two categories: best animated feature film and best original song for “How Far I’ll Go.”
At today’s 89th Annual Academy Awards, Cravalho, 16, will perform with song composer Lin-Manuel Miranda. (The ceremony will air on a delayed basis in Hawaii starting at 7:30 p.m. on ABC.)
JOHN BERGER: Is it true that you almost didn’t audition for the role?
AULI’I CRAVALHO: Yes. I was a freshman in high school, and I was very much focusing on my schoolwork, but my friends and I decided to audition for a nonprofit organization through school. We didn’t get in, but the person going through those auditions was also the casting director for Disney and she asked if I wanted to audition for “Moana.”
JB: What are you doing to prepare to sing at the Oscars?
AC: I’m taking very good care of my voice and drinking a lotta lotta lotta lotta lotta water.
JB: What will you be wearing for the show?
AC: I know it’s going to be very pretty, but I don’t know exactly what it is yet.
JB: Are there any people you want to meet while you’re there?
AC: I’m very honored to be performing with Lin-Manuel, whom I’ve met, but there are also other wonderful songs that have been nominated as well, and I hope to meet the artists that sang them. Justin Timberlake I’ve actually met before. Sting, I would love to meet, and John Legend — he’s a legend — I’d love to meet him.
JB: Whether “How Far I’ll Go” wins the Oscar or not, it will be your “signature” song. What did you think the first time you heard it?
AC: I cried — in joy. I love this song. I love that this whole film was inspired by my Polynesian culture. It’s very special to me. The main moral of this is a girl figuring out who she’s supposed to be, and nothing resonates with me more than that message itself.
JB: Looking long-range, what would you like to be doing in 2027?
AC: I’d like to continue making good films whether or not I’m behind the camera or on screen or I’m just a supporter of it.
JB: Looking short-term, what will you be working on through the end of the year?
AC: There are some really exciting things happening that I can’t say anything about, but I will be continuing in this industry, which I’m very happy about. I knew how difficult it was to get into this; now that I’m in I don’t want to get out.
‘Moana’ discs with bonus features hit shelves March 7
Disney’s “Moana,” the epic story of a spirited teenager who sets sail to save her people, starring newcomer Auli‘i Cravalho of Hawaii, sails into stores March 7 with the release of the hit animated movie on Blu-ray 3D, Blu-ray, DVD and on-demand streaming.
(It became available via digital HD/3D and Disney Movies Anywhere last week.)
Bonus features include the theatrical short “Inner Workings”; the Maui minimovie “Gone Fishing”; an in-depth look at how Pacific island cultures inspired the “Moana” filmmakers; a Q&A with the musical team of Opetaia Foa‘i, Mark Mancina and Lin-Manuel Miranda; costume designer Neysa Bove talking about the challenge of creating costumes using techniques from the islands of Oceania; a deleted song and scenes that didn’t make the cut; a music video of the Oscar-nominated song “How Far I’ll Go,” performed by Alessia Cara; hidden “Easter eggs” and more.
Target, Wal-Mart and other retailers are accepting preorders of the Blu-ray, DVD and digital HD combo for $22.99.
“On the Scene” appears weekly in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser Sunday Magazine. Reach John Berger at jberger@staradvertiser.com.
