When Auli'i Cravalho was cast in Disney's "Moana," the teen and her mom were living on food stamps. Cravalho, who voices the titular chieftan's daughter in "Moana," said in a recent interview with "People" that the pair were squeezed into a one-bedroom apartment in the Hawaiian city of Mililani when she got her big break.

But something that I wasn’t expecting to appreciate so much about Moana 2 is getting the chance to see the animated character grow and mature. When CinemaBlend spoke to the princess’s voice actress, Auli’i Cravalho,

Cravalho shot to fame in 2016 after voicing the lead in "Moana," Disney's highest-grossing animated princess movie other than the "Frozen" titles. She was 16 when it premiered — and told People that before the movie, she was living on food stamps.

Auli’i Cravalho’s breakout role as "Moana" was a transformative moment for both her budding career and her family’s journey.

Moana' and 'Moana 2' star Auliʻi Cravalho tells PEOPLE that she bought her mother, Puanani, a house after the Polynesian-inspired Disney movie changed the Hawaii native's life overnight: 'She's happil

Auli'i Cravalho, the voice of Moana, reflects on a decade of inspiration, gratitude, and the impact the iconic Disney film has had on a generation.

Auliʻi Cravalho reflects on what "Moana" has meant to her, and how she continues to try and challenge herself in other roles

At the end of Moana 2, Moana, Maui and her crew successfully find the island of Motufetu, thus connecting their people once more. But it’s not without a ton of peril and danger. While they are trying to raise the island back up,

Moana star Auli’i Cravalho paid her family forward for supporting her in her rise to fame.

Moana 2 star Auli’i Cravalho has revealed she bought her mom a house after the first film in the franchise aired in 2016. The 24-year-old, who rose to fame as the voice of the Polynesian chieftess in the Walt Disney animated movie,

Auli'i Cravalho’s role as Moana not only launched her acting career but also changed her and her family’s lives. The actress, 24, opened up about her childhood in an interview with People published on Saturday,