When I sat down (well, Zoomed in) with Auli’i Cravalho, I was expecting charm, wit, maybe the odd heart-warming anecdote. What I didn’t expect was to walk away with a deep existential longing for a giraffe vase and the validation of being called “young” by the actual voice of Moana. But more on that later.

We kicked things off by chatting about her role in the upcoming live-action Moana remake, and spoiler alert: she’s not just watching from the sidelines. “I love this character truly,” she told me. “I am now an executive producer for that film. I didn’t have to sneak on set… They actually invited me!”

There’s a genuine pride in her voice when she talks about passing the torch. The role of Moana is being taken on by newcomer Catherine Laga‘aia, and Auli’i couldn’t be more excited. “I truly believe in passing the baton onto the next generation,” she said. “I love projects that continue to stand the test of time, and Moana is one of those.”

As much as I tried to coax her into confirming a sneaky cameo (maybe even in a chicken suit) she didn’t bite. But honestly? Just knowing she’s involved behind the scenes, shaping the future of this story she helped define, is already a win.

Moana: The Unsinkable Disney Favourite

Let’s rewind a bit. When Moana first hit cinemas in 2016, it wasn’t just another animated musical; it was a full-blown cultural moment. The film grossed over $680 million worldwide, earned Oscar nominations for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song (‘How Far I’ll Go’ still slaps, let’s be honest), and launched Auli’i into the spotlight at just 14 years old.

The cast, including Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson as Maui, brought the Polynesian-inspired world of Motunui to life in a way that felt both fresh and timeless. And now, with both a sequel released, and live-action version on the way, the Moana-verse is very much alive and sailing full speed ahead.

With Auli’i staying on as executive producer, and Catherine Laga‘aia stepping in as our new ocean voyager, the live-action film promises to honour the original while carving out something new.

Meanwhile… Lulu Is A Rhinocero

Of course, we weren’t just chatting about Moana. Auli’i was also promoting Lulu Is A Rhinoceros, a charming new family film based on the children’s book by Jason and Allison Flom. The story follows Lulu, a bulldog who believes she’s a rhinoceros, as she embarks on a journey of self-discovery and identity.

Auli’i, who voices Lulu, spoke beautifully about how much she connected to the character’s story. “I am full of many facets,” she told me. “I am a woman of colour. I am queer. And it’s outside forces that tell us we’re not enough. But at our core, we know who we are.”

Honestly, I wasn’t expecting to cry during an interview about a dog who thinks she’s a rhino, but there I was, emotional and wiping away tears like a soggy tissue. “It’s meant for everyone,” she said. “Even you, Daniel, at the perfectly young age of 30.” (Again, I will be dining out on that line for the rest of the year.)

Lulu Is A Rhinoceros also stars the likes of Alex Newell, Dulé Hill, Paul Rust and Utkarsh Ambudkar, and is available on Apple TV+. It’s warm, funny, and quietly profound… Just like Auli’i herself.

And if they ever make Lulu into a live-action film? You’d better believe I’ll be campaigning to play Hip Hop the rabbit.