Auliʻi Cravalho | 'Moana 2'

Summary

The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert: Auliʻi Cravalho on 'Moana 2' and Beyond

Release Date: December 7, 2024

In a captivating episode of The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert, host Stephen Colbert welcomes actress and singer Auliʻi Cravalho—best known for her role as Moana in Disney's beloved animated film series. The conversation delves deep into the phenomenal success of 'Moana 2', Cravalho's experiences aging with her character, her collaboration with co-star Dwayne Johnson, the intricate process of dubbing the film into Hawaiian, and her ventures into Broadway cabaret.

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Celebrating 'Moana 2': Breaking Records and Demigod Status

Stephen Colbert opens the dialogue by highlighting the unprecedented success of 'Moana 2', noting its achievement of "demigod status" and its record-breaking performance during Thanksgiving weekend.

Stephen Colbert (01:40): "Moana 2 has achieved demigod status, all box office records broken. It's the biggest five day Thanksgiving thing of all time. How does it feel?"

Auliʻi Cravalho responds with a mix of humility and gratitude, emphasizing the fan's desire to delve deeper into Moana's story.

Auliʻi Cravalho (01:59): "It's so wonderful that fans want more of the story of Moana. I'm grateful that we even got to have a sequel. That's not guaranteed."

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Aging Gracefully with Moana: Voice and Character Development

Discussing the challenges of continuing her role over a decade, Cravalho shares her relief and excitement over aging alongside Moana without compromising her vocal performance.

Auliʻi Cravalho (02:19): "I was afraid that I would need to pitch my voice back up. Here I am, Moana Moti Nui. I talk a little bit lower. And fans are very intelligent. So luckily I was able to age with the character."

Stephen humorously acknowledges her seamless transition, highlighting the dedication required to maintain consistency in an animated role.

Stephen Colbert (02:16): "Very little creaky in the joints and everything at this point."

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Guidance from Dwayne Johnson: Building a Supportive Professional Relationship

The conversation shifts to Cravalho's co-star, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, and the invaluable advice he imparted as she navigated her early career.

Auliʻi Cravalho (02:41): "Don't step on people on my way up, because if I trip, they'll let me fall. But if I bring people up with me, if I ever stumble, they'll hold me up."

Colbert appreciates the depth of Johnson's mentorship, underscoring the importance of fostering positive relationships in the industry.

Stephen Colbert (03:00): "Sure, sure. Good advice, too."

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Preserving Language and Culture: Dubbing 'Moana 2' into Hawaiian

A significant portion of the discussion focuses on the cultural importance and challenges of dubbing 'Moana 2' into Hawaiian, a language that has faced decline due to historical suppression.

Auliʻi Cravalho (03:29): "Hawaii is a dying language. It was forbidden to be spoken for a few generations. Colonialism. And if you thought 'How Far I'll Go' was difficult in English, it only gets harder."

She elaborates on the meticulous process of translation, highlighting the film's role in fostering Polynesian pride and linguistic preservation.

Auliʻi Cravalho (03:29): "Moana is one of the most widely translated films. It's in te reo Māori, or the language of Aotearoa in New Zealand, Tahitian. It really is a great sense of Polynesian pride for us."

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Connecting Globally: Meeting Fellow Dubbers and Expanding Moana’s Reach

Cravalho shares her experiences meeting other voice actors who lent their talents to 'Moana 2' in various languages, emphasizing the global impact of the film.

Auliʻi Cravalho (04:14): "I've met voices from Japan, and just recently, I met the voice who does the Portuguese version. It's so nice to share Moana with so many people from across the globe as well."

Colbert expresses curiosity about these international versions, highlighting the universal appeal of Moana's story.

Stephen Colbert (04:48): "You haven't really seen Moana until you've seen it in Portuguese."

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Broadway Bound: Balancing 'Moana 2' with Cabaret Performances

Transitioning to her life beyond voice acting, Cravalho discusses her role in the Broadway production of 'Cabaret', portraying Sally Bowles. She reflects on the challenges and rewards of balancing film promotion with live theater.

Auliʻi Cravalho (05:19): "One feels like a break from the other. I have been burning the candle at both ends…"

She delves into the nuances of performing a British accent on stage, highlighting the technical aspects of embodying a character different from Moana.

Auliʻi Cravalho (06:14): "I listen to a lot of the BBC radio because the different… I wanted it to sound real."

Colbert is intrigued by her ability to switch between roles, especially maintaining consistency in her portrayal of Sally.

Stephen Colbert (06:41): "What's the most challenging part of being Sally?"

Auliʻi Cravalho (06:52): "Truly remaining consistent... Our show is also so very important. It's always felt timely…"

She emphasizes the significance of theater in reflecting societal issues, drawing parallels between her theatrical work and her role in 'Moana 2'.

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Closing Remarks: A Multifaceted Talent on the Rise

As the conversation wraps up, Colbert commends Cravalho's dynamic career trajectory, seamlessly transitioning between animated films and live theater.

Stephen Colbert (07:40): "Well, it's so lovely to meet you. Thank you so much for being here."

Auliʻi Cravalho (07:44): "Thank you."

Cravalho hints at future projects and her ongoing commitment to diverse roles, leaving listeners eager for her next endeavors.

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In Summary, this episode offers an in-depth look at Auliʻi Cravalho's multifaceted career, her dedication to cultural preservation through 'Moana 2', and her artistic versatility showcased in Broadway performances. Her insights into the entertainment industry's collaborative nature and the importance of uplifting peers provide a heartfelt and inspiring narrative for listeners.

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For more engaging conversations and exclusive clips, visit The Late Show YouTube channel and stay tuned for upcoming episodes on Paramount+.

Transcript

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[Stephen Colbert]

It's the Late Show Poncho with Stephen Colbert.

Ladies and gentlemen, my next guest is an actress and a singer you know from Rise Mean Girls and is the voice of Disney's Moana. She now returns for Moana 2.

We're back sailing from the horizon Back to our home our island Coming into our view Beneath the morning sky we're back from new shores we've been exploring Returning to tell our story Connected with both the land and sea away finally we're back to who we're meant to be who I'm meant to be Voyaging the sea.

Please welcome to the late show Aulii Carvalh.

Hel.

[Unknown]

This place is.

[Auli'i Cravalho]

This place is so beautiful.

[Stephen Colbert]

Thank you. Thank you very much. It was lovely to have you on.

[Auli'i Cravalho]

Thank you for having me.

[Stephen Colbert]

You know, you're back, and folks are clearly very excited about that because Moana 2 has achieved demigod status, all box office records broken. It's the biggest five day Thanksgiving thing of all time. How does it feel? How does it feel to reach demigod status?

[Auli'i Cravalho]

I mean, who knows? Like, what does that mean exactly? You know, it's so wonderful that fans want more of the story of Moana. I'm grateful that we even got to have a sequel. That's not guaranteed. And I started playing this character I was cast when I was 14. I just turned 24, so it's been so nice.

[Stephen Colbert]

Very little creaky in the joints and everything at this point.

[Auli'i Cravalho]

I kid you not. I was afraid that I would need to pitch my voice back up. Here I am, Moana Moti Nui. I talk a little bit lower. And fans are very intelligent. So luckily I was able to age with the character.

[Stephen Colbert]

Wow. Your co star is Dwayne the Johnson. And has he given you any advice?

[Auli'i Cravalho]

I remember when I was first starting out, he said, don't step on people on my way up, because if I trip, they'll let me fall. But if I bring people up with me, if I ever stumble, they'll hold me up and like, it's so deep. Like, I really appreciated that.

[Stephen Colbert]

Sure, sure.

[Auli'i Cravalho]

Yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

Good advice too. Good advice, too. A movie as beloved as Moana, as successful as this around the world, is dubbed into a lot of different languages.

[Paramount Ads Manager]

Yes.

[Stephen Colbert]

But I understand you did the dubbing for the full Hawaiian version. What was that process like? You're a native Hawaiian, but did you grow up speaking natively?

[Auli'i Cravalho]

No. So olelo. Hawaii is a dying language. It was forbidden to be spoken for a few generations. Colonialism. And if you thought how far I'll go was difficult in English, it only gets harder. In Hawaiian, we only have 13 letters. So knowing also how important it is to have this film translated in native tongues, Moana is one of the most widely translated films. It's in te reo mori, or the language of Aotearoa in New Zealand, Tahitian. It really is a great sense of Polynesian pride for us.

[Stephen Colbert]

And have you met. Have you. Have you met the. Have you met the other people dubbing your part?

[Auli'i Cravalho]

I have met a few of them. It is a little strange because to a certain extent, they're cast to sound like me, which is a bit of a mind blow.

[Stephen Colbert]

Sure, I can understand you, but, yeah.

[Auli'i Cravalho]

I've met voices from Japan, and just recently, I met the voice who does the Portuguese version. Like, I. It's so nice to share Moana with so many people from across the globe as well. Also as Katherine Lagaya, who is our live action Moana.

[Stephen Colbert]

Oh, wow. Have you seen Moana in Portuguese, for instance?

[Auli'i Cravalho]

I haven't. I haven't seen it in that place.

[Stephen Colbert]

I hear it's great. I hear it's really good. Really? You haven't lived until you. You haven't really seen Moana until you've seen it in Portuguese. Ooh. This is our first time meeting, but we're neighbors because you're right down the street in the Kitkat Club at the August Wilson Theater on Broadway doing cabaret.

[Auli'i Cravalho]

SCATTERED applause thank you.

[Stephen Colbert]

Playing Sally Bowles. What is it like to, like, do press for Moana during the day and at night you have to go into the Weimar era cabaret.

[Auli'i Cravalho]

It's really fun. Thankfully, the two characters are so different. One feels like a break from the other. I have been burning the candle at both ends, but. And you know this. I'm sure that this industry is seasonal. There will be a time where I will have nothing, and I'll have been glad to have to be so busy. But sure. Also my. I love doing voices. And so the fact that Moana is So crisp and so clear. And you will board my boat and restore the heart of Te Fiti. And then Sally bowls it in the back of my throat. And talking in a British accent has been really mind melding because also to sing in a British accent is very different.

[Stephen Colbert]

Wow. So, hey, how'd you get your British accent? I'm curious, because we were just talking to. We were just talking to Daniel Craig.

[Auli'i Cravalho]

Yeah, you did.

[Stephen Colbert]

Very touchy guy, Daniel Craig, about getting an American accent. What do you do? How do you land your British accent? What's your guidepost for that?

[Auli'i Cravalho]

Dialect coach? Yeah, Shout out to Jane Fujita. And also I listen to a lot of the BBC radio because the different. Well, I wanted it to sound real.

[Stephen Colbert]

And now the sport, it works.

[Auli'i Cravalho]

Yes, it works real well. But then also I learned that if you talk with your mouth really wide, then it's a bit too. I don't know. And then if you talk really, like with your mouth not moving very much, then apparently it's very posh. So I had to find something in between.

[Stephen Colbert]

Wow. Yeah, it's a very immersive and physical show. What's the most challenging part of being Sally?

[Auli'i Cravalho]

If I had to choose just one thing, I suppose it's truly remaining consistent. I think that's the joy of being on stage, is that seven, eight shows a week, I go on that roller coaster. But our show is also so very important. It's always felt timely, but I think especially so now we discuss things like antisemitism and fascism and totalitarianism and misogyny, and we take this show in our hands. I share this with Adam Lambert and Calvin Leon Smith. We. What's important about theater is that it reveals a mirror and it rips you open. And so I think our show does that, and I'm just really glad to be a part of it. Even when doing, like, press for Moana, like, that show feels really, really important to me.

[Stephen Colbert]

Well, it's so lovely to meet you. Thank you so much for being here.

[Unknown]

Thank you.

[Stephen Colbert]

Moana 2 is in theaters now and you can see cabaret at the KitKat Club at the August Wilson Theater right here on Broadway. Auli Carvalho, everybody. Thank you for listening to the Late Show Pod show with Stephen Colbert. Just one more thing. If you want to see more of me, come to The Late Show YouTube channel for clips and exclusives.

[Unknown]

Now streaming on Paramount.

[Stephen Colbert]

Plus, you do have a lot going on.

I'm fine.

You just lost your dad. You got a brand new baby, an unemployed wife, you got no money.

[Unknown]

Okay, okay.

From the brains behind the Big Bang theory. And young Sheldon.

[Stephen Colbert]

Cut the baby down. You wanna fool around?

[Paramount Ads Manager]

To Mandy, Georgie and their new home.

[Auli'i Cravalho]

Love you.

[Stephen Colbert]

Love you too.

[Unknown]

Georgie and Mandy's first marriage. New series now streaming on paramount. New episodes CBS, Thursday, 87 Central.

Paramount streams all the football you wanna football. We're talking NFL football, UEFA Champions League football and Big Ten football. So stream your football on Paramount. Big Ten football available at the Paramount plus with Showtime plan only.