When the first trailers for Disney's Moana dropped back in 2016, the world was basically instant-obsessed with the vibrant colors and that catchy Lin-Manuel Miranda soundtrack. But what really made the movie stick—and why we’re still talking about it years later, especially with the sequel and the upcoming 2026 live-action remake—is the cast. Honestly, it’s one of those rare moments where the voice actors didn't just read lines; they breathed life into a culture that Hollywood hadn't always gotten right.
So, who are the voices in Moana?
If you've ever found yourself humming "You're Welcome" or tearing up during "I Am Moana," you’ve heard the magic. From a teenage newcomer found in an open casting call to one of the biggest action stars on the planet, the lineup is a mix of massive star power and authentic Polynesian heritage.
The Breakout: Auliʻi Cravalho as Moana
You’ve gotta love the story of how Auliʻi Cravalho got the part. She was just 14 years old and living in Mililani, Hawaii. At the time, she hadn't even planned on auditioning because she saw so many "amazing" submissions on YouTube and didn't think she was good enough. Luckily, a casting agent spotted her singing at a charity competition on Oahu.
She was literally the last girl to audition on the very last day of casting. Talk about timing.
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Cravalho’s voice is the soul of the film. She brings a specific kind of "mischievous wit" (as director John Musker put it) that keeps Moana from being a "perfect" princess. She’s vulnerable, sure, but she’s also a total powerhouse. It’s wild to think she turned 16 the day before the movie actually hit theaters. She has since reprised the role in Moana 2 and has even served as an executive producer for the live-action version.
The Icon: Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson as Maui
Okay, let’s be real. Can you imagine anyone else playing the demigod Maui? Dwayne Johnson didn't just provide the voice; the animators actually baked his personality into the character. If you look closely at Maui when he first meets Moana, he cocks his eyebrow in a very specific way. That’s the "People’s Eyebrow," a direct nod to Johnson's legendary wrestling career.
Maui is a complicated guy. He’s arrogant, self-centered, and kind of a jerk at first, but Johnson finds the heart in him. Plus, hearing The Rock sing was a total curveball for most of us. "You’re Welcome" became a global anthem, and Johnson’s charisma is the reason why. Fun fact: Maui was originally designed to be bald, but his hair was added later because, in Polynesian culture, a demigod's power is often tied to their long hair.
The Family: Chief Tui, Sina, and Gramma Tala
The supporting cast is where the movie gets its emotional weight.
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- Temuera Morrison (Chief Tui): You might know him as Jango or Boba Fett from the Star Wars universe. As Moana’s father, he’s the "helicopter parent" of Motunui. While Christopher Jackson (of Hamilton fame) provided the singing voice for Tui in the first movie, Morrison actually took over the singing duties himself for the sequel.
- Nicole Scherzinger (Sina): The former Pussycat Doll voices Moana’s mother. She’s the bridge between Tui’s strict rules and Moana’s wild dreams. Scherzinger, who has Hawaiian roots, has often said this role was one of the most meaningful of her career.
- Rachel House (Gramma Tala): If you haven't seen her in Taika Waititi’s Hunt for the Wilderpeople, go watch it now. She plays the "village crazy lady" with so much warmth. Tala is Moana's confidante, the one who knows that the ocean has big plans for her. Even after the character passes away, her spirit remains a massive part of the story.
The MVP of Comic Relief: Alan Tudyk as Heihei
We have to talk about the chicken.
Heihei was almost cut from the movie entirely. Early scripts had him as a much smarter, more judgmental character, but the writers felt it wasn't working. To save him, they decided to make him... well, the "dumbest character in the history of Disney animation."
Alan Tudyk, a veteran voice actor who has been in everything from Wreck-It Ralph to Frozen, spent hours in a recording booth making chicken noises. It sounds easy, right? It’s not. He had to convey confusion, terror, and total emptiness through nothing but clucks. It worked. Heihei is a fan favorite precisely because he has no idea what’s going on at any given time.
Expanding the Universe in Moana 2
The sequel, which took the world by storm in late 2024, brought back the core team but added some fresh voices that changed the dynamic of the crew.
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- Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda as Simea: Moana’s little sister. She’s three-and-a-half years old and absolutely adores her big sister. This was Khaleesi's acting debut, and she’s basically the "cute factor" dialled up to eleven.
- Rose Matafeo as Loto: A quirky engineer who keeps the canoe from falling apart. Matafeo is a brilliant comedian from New Zealand, and she brings a frantic, smart energy to the wayfinding crew.
- David Fane as Kele: A grumpy farmer who doesn't really want to be on an adventure. He just wants to cook and eat. Fane is another staple of the New Zealand acting scene and provides the perfect "get off my lawn" energy to the group.
- Awhimai Fraser as Matangi: The mysterious character who controls bats and serves as a foil to Moana's journey. Fraser previously voiced Elsa in the Māori-language version of Frozen, so she’s Disney royalty in her own right.
What People Often Get Wrong About the Cast
There’s a common misconception that the Moana cast is just "celebrities." In reality, Disney went to great lengths to ensure the cast was almost entirely of Polynesian descent. The only major exception is Alan Tudyk, but he's a chicken, so we let it slide.
Another thing? The name. In Europe and parts of Asia, Moana is known as "Vaiana." This was due to a trademark conflict with a cosmetics brand and some... let's say "adult" associations with the name Moana in Italy. This meant the actors actually had to record many of their lines twice—once as Moana and once as Vaiana—so the lip-syncing would still look right for international audiences.
Looking Ahead: The 2026 Live-Action Remake
As we move into 2026, the conversation is shifting toward the live-action adaptation. While Dwayne Johnson is returning to play Maui in the flesh (which makes sense, he's already the right size), Auliʻi Cravalho decided not to play Moana this time around.
Instead, a young actress named Catherine Laga'aia has been cast as the live-action Moana. She’s a 17-year-old from Sydney, Australia, with Samoan roots. Rounding out that cast are John Tui as Chief Tui, Frankie Adams as Sina, and Rena Owen as Gramma Tala. It’s a passing of the torch that keeps the "voices" of the original alive while giving a new generation a chance to sail.
Actionable Insights for Fans
- Watch the Dubs: If you want a different experience, check out the Hawaiian or Māori language versions of the film. Most of the original cast, including Auliʻi and Temuera Morrison, returned to voice their characters in these native languages.
- Follow the New Talent: Keep an eye on Catherine Laga'aia and Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda; they are the future of this franchise as it expands into live-action and potential TV spin-offs.
- Listen to the Demos: If you have Disney+, look for the "Deleted Scenes" or "Making Of" features to hear early vocal demos by Lin-Manuel Miranda himself before the final cast took over.
Understanding the people behind these characters makes the movie feel even more personal. It’s not just a cartoon; it’s a massive collaborative effort by actors who truly care about the story they are telling. Whether it’s a chicken clucking or a demigod singing about his tattoos, every voice counts.