She would also be the studio's first Polynesian princess (though the character herself insists she's not technically a princess), marking a huge moment for AAPI representation. Two years later, "Moana" officially hit theaters and has proven to have some strong sea legs,

The actress, now 24, was 14 when she was first cast as the character. Moana’s journey in the new movie, Cravalho told People, marks the first time “in Disney history that a Disney princess has been allowed to age.”