Here’s what Auli’i Cravlho thinks about Moana being a Disney princess

Moana 2 hits theaters this week, just in time for the time-honored tradition of Thanksgiving movies. The sequel follows the most streamed film on Disney+ with a new adventure starring Moana (Auli’i Cravalho) and Maui (Dwayne Johnson).

The first film introduced Moana as the next in line to lead the people of Motunui, which was interpreted in Western media as some sort of princess; In the sequel, her adventures continue as she learns to be a leader. And yes, that is very reminiscent of a king in training, if by royal we mean the next chief and wayfinder in the making. Yes, Moana is officially listed as a canonical member of the Disney Princess franchise for this reason, but her status is truly questionable.

Moana voice actress Auli’i Cravalho spoke to Entertainment Weekly about the Disney princess discourse surrounding her character. “Films are always representative of their time. For today, we want a young woman to be the heroine of her own story. So yes, she’s a princess, but she’s also a hero. I like that these two words are now interchangeable.”

It makes a little more sense that Disney Princesses and Frozen’Disney’s royal queens (Anna and Elsa are not considered princesses) are separate Disney hero categories, a classification that, let’s face it, is mostly about selling toys under different banners.

Luckily, Moana’s appearance will always thematically fit her unique story; According to Cravalho, “You probably won’t see Moana in a ball gown. And that’s okay.”

Moana 2 addresses the same “princess or not?” Question in a very meta way, with Moana claiming she’s not a princess and Maui pointing out that a lot of people think she is. And so she will continue to be Disney Princess Moana of Motunui, head warden and wayfinder.

Moana 2 is in theaters this week and Moana is now streaming on Disney+.

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