New Moana in the Disney movie: who is Catherine Lagaaia?
17 november 2025 в 22:13
The upcoming live-action Disney film «Moana» will be starring a new actress in the role of Moana, and her name is Catherine Lagaaia! The rising teenage star will be performing the famous song «How Far I’ll Go» and sharing the screen with the original voice of Maui, Dwayne Johnson, in the 2026 film. Since we all know who «The Rock» is, what can we say about Catherine?
Hollywood Life magazine provides all the facts you need to know about Catherine right here!
Catherine was 17 years old when her participation in the film «Moana» was announced in June 2024, according to information from the Walt Disney Company.
According to Catherine’s profile on IMDb, she previously appeared in three episodes of the series «Lost Flowers of Alice Hart». She played the role of young Candy.
Catherine is the daughter of actor and writer Jay Lagaaia, who played Captain Typho in «Star Wars: Episode II — Attack of the Clones» and «Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith». He also appeared in the film «Fireflies» and is the creator of the series «Jay's Jungle».
After his daughter — whom he calls «Katie» — was chosen for the role of Moana, Jay took to Instagram to announce the important news.
«My family and I are so excited to share this news with the rest of the world. My daughter Katie can finally share the news that she will be playing the role of Moana in Disney’s live-action film alongside Dwayne Johnson and [producer] Lin-Manuel Miranda», - Jay captioned his post. «Also joining Lagaaia and Johnson in the cast are John Tui from Auckland, New Zealand, as Moana’s father, Chief Tui; mixed-New Zealand actress Frankie Adams as Moana’s mother, Sina; and Rena Owen, originally from Bay of Islands, New Zealand, as the respected Grandma Tala. Congratulations to John Tui and his partner on their recent addition to their village as well».
According to Disney’s press release about her involvement, Catherine revealed that her family has Samoan heritage.
«My grandfather is from Fa’aala, Palauli, on Savai’i. And my grandmother is from Leulumoega Tuai on the main island of 'Upolu in Samoa», - she said. «It is an honor for me to have the opportunity to celebrate Samoa and all Pacific Islanders, and to represent young girls like me».
Disney stated in their 2024 casting announcement that Catherine is originally from Sydney, Australia
Hollywood Life magazine provides all the facts you need to know about Catherine right here!
Catherine was 17 years old when her participation in the film «Moana» was announced in June 2024, according to information from the Walt Disney Company.
According to Catherine’s profile on IMDb, she previously appeared in three episodes of the series «Lost Flowers of Alice Hart». She played the role of young Candy.
Catherine is the daughter of actor and writer Jay Lagaaia, who played Captain Typho in «Star Wars: Episode II — Attack of the Clones» and «Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith». He also appeared in the film «Fireflies» and is the creator of the series «Jay's Jungle».
After his daughter — whom he calls «Katie» — was chosen for the role of Moana, Jay took to Instagram to announce the important news.
«My family and I are so excited to share this news with the rest of the world. My daughter Katie can finally share the news that she will be playing the role of Moana in Disney’s live-action film alongside Dwayne Johnson and [producer] Lin-Manuel Miranda», - Jay captioned his post. «Also joining Lagaaia and Johnson in the cast are John Tui from Auckland, New Zealand, as Moana’s father, Chief Tui; mixed-New Zealand actress Frankie Adams as Moana’s mother, Sina; and Rena Owen, originally from Bay of Islands, New Zealand, as the respected Grandma Tala. Congratulations to John Tui and his partner on their recent addition to their village as well».
According to Disney’s press release about her involvement, Catherine revealed that her family has Samoan heritage.
«My grandfather is from Fa’aala, Palauli, on Savai’i. And my grandmother is from Leulumoega Tuai on the main island of 'Upolu in Samoa», - she said. «It is an honor for me to have the opportunity to celebrate Samoa and all Pacific Islanders, and to represent young girls like me».
Disney stated in their 2024 casting announcement that Catherine is originally from Sydney, Australia
© Kolganov Andrey
