[ad_1]
Moana is *massive* in our home. If my children don’t belt out “How Far I’ll Go” a minimum of twice every week (oh, who’re we kidding, it’s me), one thing is flawed — ship assist. And whereas marrying right into a Hawaiian household has loads to do with simply how significant the film is to me, most dad and mom can possible relate to our family’s Moana obsession.
So, after I heard Auli’i Cravalho was set to voice a lead animated character for the primary time since bringing Disney’s Hawaiian princess to life, I couldn’t wait to look at. In Disney’s new comedy-adventure collection Hailey’s On It, she performs the eponymous Hailey, a risk-averse however resourceful teen who learns the destiny of the world is basically in her awkward adolescent fingers.
To get the news for Scary Mommy — and, let’s be actual, earn some cool cred with my children — I sat down for a 1:1 Zoom with Cravalho.
Scary Mommy: We’re so enthusiastic about this collection. Are you able to describe Hailey for us?
Auli’i Cravalho: Hailey Banks is a younger teen who has this lengthy listing of issues that she would like to do — name it a bucket listing. All of her hopes and desires are on this pocket book, and she or he’s all the time been a bit of too afraid to finish any of these listing gadgets, till she’s visited by a scientist from the longer term who tells her, “Hailey Banks, you have to full each single merchandise on this listing as a way to save the world.” Thus begins our journey.
I’ve been so fortunate to play and voice characters who’re wanting to alter the world, who converse up for what they imagine in. And after I was launched to Hailey, I used to be like, Oh, I see you. I like who you might be. So, I used to be so happy to have the ability to deliver her a voice and produce her life.
SM: Do you see shades of your self at 14 in Hailey?
AC: I used to be fearful of creating massive choices at 14, for positive. I might’ve beloved a pal like Hailey at that age. I additionally assume, although, she’s actually fortunate that she was visited from the longer term by somebody who instructed her, “You are going to change the world.” I feel if we inform our younger audiences, “Simply by current, you making choices, you might be so essential… you are going to change the world,” that might make our society as a complete a lot extra vibrant and a lot richer.
SM: Hindsight is so highly effective. In the event you might go to your self at that age, what would you inform your self?
AC: I have never gotten that query, really. I’ve to preface, although, that was the age I used to be solid as Moana, and I used to be so grateful and so able to be alongside for the trip. I might inform myself to journal, to put in writing it down. A lot of these recollections I do not really bear in mind. And I might additionally inform myself, “You are really going to maintain working on this trade. You do not have to be so scared.”
I actually thought that Moana can be my one job and that I might fade into the background, and I used to be so scared. However I’ve given my coronary heart to each mission that I have been part of, and fortunately I feel that is what retains them coming again.
SM: One factor I like about this present is it’s enjoyable and imaginative but additionally offers with a number of the anxiety-inducing issues this age group faces — like crushes and first kisses. Do you hope this helps normalize conversations round these issues a bit of?
AC: One thing I might say is that being anxious is so regular. It’s, I feel, one of many methods our our bodies inform us we’re about to do one thing actually thrilling, one thing we actually care about. I get nervous for each interview. I am not joking — my tummy is rumbling.
In the event you take small steps to beat that anxiousness, what meets you on the opposite facet is this sense of, Ooh, I did that. Hailey has a watch that tells her when she’s checked off an inventory merchandise, however for these of us who haven’t got a watch despatched from the longer term, it’s essential to discover your individual interior sense of peace. It is one thing that I am engaged on, and I am 22. So, it is a lifelong journey! However believing in your self, and taking the small steps to realize your desires, it is so price it.
SM: And also you don’t must do it by your self, as Hailey reveals us.
AC: Hailey Banks has a very stunning assist system of her dad and mom and her pals and her chosen household, and that is additionally essential. Generally you do not have to do it on their lonesome. You may have your finest pal assist you alongside the way in which and maintain you accountable and cheer you on. I hope that each single individual watching this has their very own private cheering part. That is equally as essential.
SM: In the event you had been to put in writing your individual bucket listing, what can be on it?
AC: I need to undertake three to 5 extra cats. I might like to be in a Marvel film, and I would like to go to varsity. I obtained into Columbia, and I used to be so scared that the trade would simply transfer on and neglect about me that I deferred so many instances … now I have to reapply. So, that is my “kiss Scott Denoga.” I’ll wait, and I’ll hope, and I’ll dream, and I’ll get there sooner or later — I do know it.
SM: You talked about Moana, a life-changing position. How did it really feel to seek out out in regards to the live-action model?
AC: It began with a cellphone name, and I used to be instructed that live-action Moana can be within the works. I knew that Dwayne Johnson can be reprising his position as Maui, and I used to be given an EP credit score.
I knew how essential this character was for me in addition to my group. I bear in mind the way it modified my life and began my profession. So, I am actually wanting ahead to passing that baton to the following younger girl of Pacific descent. As a result of I go searching, and I actually assume that I might see so many extra younger Pacific Islander girls [onscreen].
I hope that this simply continues the legacy: Moana retains giving again to this youthful era, reminding us that you may be the hero of your individual story. That you do not want a love curiosity to finish you. Which you could go far past the reef, and you’ll make your loved ones proud. These are all themes that resonate with so many audiences, and I am glad that the Moana universe simply retains increasing.
SM: My husband’s household is Hawaiian, and we’ve discovered individuals within the States view them as very racially ambiguous. Has that been true for you?
AC: I get that to today — that I’m racially ambiguous. Having grown up in Hawaii, my id has all the time been Hawaiian, and it was so bizarre coming right here and having that id stripped away from me. Oh, that is so spot on.
SM: So, how do you keep grounded in who you might be?
AC: The way in which I maintain that alive is I’m going dwelling to Hawaii; that is what makes me really feel most grounded. I additionally miss dancing hula. I miss the meals that connects me… If I eat a Spam musubi, I am like, “OK, I can maintain out a bit of longer” after I’m away from dwelling.
It is a battle that every one combined children and individuals who have combined heritage expertise, and the way in which I’ve found out learn how to take care of it’s that I do know in each room that I stroll into, I symbolize precisely how I used to be raised. I symbolize my individuals, I symbolize my tradition simply by current, simply by being there. That has eliminated a number of the anxiousness that I felt about voicing such an iconic character who’s so essential to the group. I used to be like, How do I be a Disney princess on a regular basis? And it is simply an excessive amount of strain.
SM: What would you say to different individuals who face the identical form of erasure?
AC: Being Pacific Islander, AAPI, or only a individual of shade the place you’re feeling a bit of bit misplaced, simply know that while you plant your toes, you stand in your individual energy. And you’ve got such a novel background. Nobody shares your similar upbringing or your similar expertise.
This interview has been edited for size and readability.
[ad_2]
