Catherine Laga’aia is an Australian actress from Sydney who plays the title role in Disney’s live-action Moana, a 2026 film. Disney describes the part as her feature film debut. She was cast in June 2024, when Disney gave her age as 17. That is her age at the time of casting, not a current figure.
How she came to the role
Disney UK Press’s casting announcement, dated June 13, 2024, identified Laga’aia as a Sydney native. Disney’s later account of the film’s casting, published by The Walt Disney Company on July 9, 2026, describes an extensive worldwide search for the lead. Director Thomas Kail said of her audition: “There were thousands of really talented young women who auditioned, but when I saw her [audition] tape, I sat up straight in my chair.” “Thousands” is his own description of the field. No exact number of auditionees has been published, so it should not be read as a count.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Moana - Blu-ray + DVD + Digital | $24.96 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Moana | $19.96 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Moana - 4K + Blu-ray + Digital | $44.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
![Moana: 2-movie Collection (Moana 2016 + Moana 2 2024, Bundle) [Blu-ray] [Region Free]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51iv1CAUC2L._SL160_.jpg)
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Moana: 2-movie Collection (Moana 2016 + Moana 2 2024, Bundle) [Blu-ray] [Region Free] | $36.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Moana 2 - Blu-ray + DVD + Digital | $19.99 | Buy on Amazon |
Her Samoan heritage
Laga’aia has spoken publicly about her family roots in Samoa. In the 2024 announcement she said her grandfather came from Fa’aala, Palauli, on Savai’i, and her grandmother from Leulumoega Tuai on Upolu. These are the origins of her grandparents. Disney’s announcement does not say where Laga’aia herself was born; it identifies her by her Sydney background. Samoan heritage and birthplace are different things, and only the first is documented for her.
Why the role mattered to her
In the June 2024 announcement, Laga’aia said:
“I’m honored to have an opportunity to celebrate Samoa and all Pacific Island peoples, and to represent young girls who look like me.”
#1 Best Overall
- In Disney’s live-action reimagining of the beloved animated adventure, Moana (Catherine Lagaʻaia) answers the Ocean’s call and voyages beyond her island’s reef with the infamous demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson) on a journey to restore prosperity to her people. Some flashing lights sequences or patterns may affect photosensitive viewers.
The statement frames the role as both a point of pride in her Pacific heritage and a chance to give young Pacific Islander girls a lead character who looks like them.
Building her own version of Moana
Disney reports that Laga’aia told the studio she had to make Moana her own. In the July 2026 coverage she is quoted as saying: “You can’t emulate somebody else.” She sought advice from Auli’i Cravalho, who voiced Moana in the animated films, but she did not model her performance on the earlier version.
Rank #2
- In Disney’s live-action reimagining of the beloved animated adventure, Moana (Catherine Lagaʻaia) answers the Ocean’s call and voyages beyond her island’s reef with the infamous demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson) on a journey to restore prosperity to her people. Some flashing lights sequences or patterns may affect photosensitive viewers.
Recent comments from Laga’aia
In a Disney+ interview published September 28, 2026, Laga’aia described leaving Sydney to pursue acting. She also said the costume was the moment she truly felt like the character: “Getting to wear [the costume] for the first time was a moment where I truly felt like I was Moana.” The bracketed word is the interview’s own wording as quoted by Disney.
The live-action film
The live-action Moana is directed by Thomas Kail. Disney lists Dwayne Johnson as Maui, with John Tui, Frankie Adams and Rena Owen among the other cast members. The film follows the animated 2016 story’s character lineup, but Disney’s material does not establish how closely the plot tracks the original.
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Rank #3
- In Disney’s live-action reimagining of the beloved animated adventure, Moana (Catherine Lagaʻaia) answers the Ocean’s call and voyages beyond her island’s reef with the infamous demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson) on a journey to restore prosperity to her people. Some flashing lights sequences or patterns may affect photosensitive viewers.
Release dates by territory
Release dates depend on the market, so the figures below are tied to their sources.
| Territory or context | Date | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Australia and New Zealand | July 8, 2026 | Disney Australia’s official Moana page |
| Premiere reference in Disney’s market context | July 10, 2026 | Disney coverage from July 2026; not tied to Australia or New Zealand |
Check the local Disney listing for any other country before planning a viewing, since the sources cover only these entries.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Walt Disney Animation Studios? animated musical reunites Moana and Maui three years later for an expansive new voyage alongside a crew of unlikely seafarers. After hearing from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana must journey into long-lost waters for an adventure. Warning: Some flashing-lights scenes in this film may affect photosensitive viewers.
Rank #4
- 2-MOVIE BLU-RAY COLLECTION – Includes Moana (2016) and Moana 2
- DISNEY FAMILY ADVENTURES – Perfect for all ages
- HIGH DEFINITION PRESENTATION – Bright, colorful animation
- BELOVED CHARACTERS & MUSIC – Iconic Disney storytelling
- HIGH DEFINITION PRESENTATION – Bright, colorful animation
What is and is not established
- Her current age is not stated. The figure of 17 applies only to June 2024.
- Her birthplace is not stated in the available Disney material.
- The number of people who auditioned has not been published.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
