Disney's 'Moana' Princess Named! Who Is Auli'i Cravalho?

When the teaser for Disney's upcoming animated movie "Moana" was unveiled in August, the studio didn't announce the name of the actress who voiced the lead character. But now, Disney is finally revealing its newest princess and she's none other than 14-year-old Auli'i Cravalho from Oahu, Hawaii.

According to People Magazine, the young actress had dreams of becoming a princess as a little kid. "From baby time to now, I wanted to be a Disney princess and then I wanted to be a singer or an actress."

Auli'i auditioned for the role but didn't hope she would land the part as "there were already so many great submissions over YouTube," she said. But a casting agent changed her luck and introduced her to the animated movie's producers, Ron Clements and John Musker. The producing pair also did "The Little Mermaid."

She got a second call back, where she was asked to ad lib and pretend to be really happy for getting the part. Auli'I joked she was tricked by the producers because she did find out later she was cast as the lead, according to the Wall Street Journal.

"Auli'i demonstrated a certain fearlessness in her auditions and call-backs," said Musker via E! Online. "She can project vulnerability, she doesn't seem intimidated at all by the challenges ahead, and her Polynesian background has helped shape her connection to family, hard work and music. These are all qualities she shares with Moana."

Like Auli'i, Moana is also a teenager who is "drawn to the ocean since she can remember and is desperate to find out what's beyond the confines of her island," said Clements in the E! report.

"She's brave, she is so empowered, she knows what she wants and she's not afraid to get it, and I think that's something that I can relate to as well. I just love watching how she goes along in this wonderful movie and grows as a person and helps her culture along the way," the actress said of her character via People.

Also joining the up-and-coming Disney star is Dwayne Johnson, who plays Maui, described as a demigod. Johnson immediately posted a message on his Twitter to welcome his co-star.

In turn, the actress tweeted that she's excited to be in the movie.

According to ABC News, "Moana" will be in theaters November 2016.