Growing up on the Big Island and Oahu, Cravalho’s childhood was shaped by her mother, Puanani, who raised her on food stamps in a one-bedroom apartment. “I slept in the bedroom, and my mom slept on the couch. She gave me everything,” Cravalho shared with PEOPLE.
The life-changing impact of Moana allowed Cravalho to give back in a big way. “I bought my mommy a house. She’s happily retired now,” she said with a smile. Despite her fame, Cravalho remains close to both parents, who divorced when she was young. They instilled in her a sense of gratitude and humility.
“They told me, ‘If [Moana] doesn’t go anywhere, you still need to finish high school, do the dishes, and fix your bed,’” Cravalho recalls. Balancing stardom and schoolwork wasn’t always easy. She admits to occasionally feeling overwhelmed, saying, “I’d be a little gremlin sometimes, giving everything to a project and having nothing left for myself.”
Her mother’s firm but loving discipline helped keep her grounded. “She looked me in the eye and said, ‘You need to be kind and kind to me,’” Cravalho said. Those tough lessons helped her learn to balance work and self-care.
Moana 2 brings Cravalho back alongside Dwayne Johnson as Maui, with new songs and fresh adventures. Directed by David Derrick Jr., Jason Hand, and Dana Ledoux Miller, the sequel also features Nicole Scherzinger, Temuera Morrison, and Rachel House. Cravalho says the experience has been a full-circle moment, giving her a chance to reflect on a decade of growth since Moana first debuted.
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