Biography Flash: Catherine Laga'aia Lands Moana Role in Disney Live-Action Remake Making Hollywood History cover art

Biography Flash: Catherine Laga'aia Lands Moana Role in Disney Live-Action Remake Making Hollywood History

Biography Flash: Catherine Laga'aia Lands Moana Role in Disney Live-Action Remake Making Hollywood History

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Catherine Laga Aia Biography Flash a weekly Biography.

Catherine Laga’aia’s ascent in Hollywood has taken an electrifying turn over the past few days, placing her front and center in major headlines and social media conversations. The 17-year-old Australian actress has cemented her status as a breakout star by landing the coveted role of Moana in Disney’s upcoming live-action remake of the global hit. Disney officially announced her casting, and Catherine’s remarks about honoring her Samoan heritage—and representing Pacific Islander girls—have resonated widely, fueling a wave of support and applause for this historic moment. According to Playbill and Disney’s press statements, Catherine is thrilled to bring Moana to life, stating her excitement to celebrate both her community and to present a strong, adventurous young woman to a new generation.

Recently, Catherine was photographed on set in Hawaii, where the production is now in full swing, drawing attention from entertainment outlets like Toonado and JustJared, who shared set photos of her immersed in a pivotal beach scene—her transformation into Moana instantly went viral and inspired a wave of social buzz. The new images show Catherine in full costume, channeling the character’s adventurous spirit, as cameras captured her interacting with the ocean in a sequence familiar to fans of the original animated film. While Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, her co-star reprising Maui, was not seen in these shots, Johnson and other principal cast members have spoken to the press about the excitement of being part of such a culturally significant project.

The past weekend saw Catherine making a splash not just on screen but on the red carpet, where she attended the high-profile 2025 AACTA Awards in Gold Coast. iHeartRadio’s “Biography Flash” podcast reports that Catherine presented an award alongside leading Australian film talent, underscoring her swift rise to prominence in both the global and Australian entertainment scenes. Her poised and gracious public appearance captivated fans and industry insiders alike.

Business-wise, the production of Moana is a collaboration among major players: Johnson’s Seven Bucks Productions, FlynnPictureCo, and Disney, with Lin-Manuel Miranda on board as a producer and music advisor. Executive producers include Auli’i Cravalho, the original voice of Moana, who is also mentoring Catherine as she steps into the iconic role, according to IMDb and Variety.

Catherine’s social media activity has surged, with her heartfelt Instagram post about carrying her family’s legacy into Hollywood trending widely in the Pacific Islander and Disney fan communities. While there are no controversies or speculative stories about her at this time, the long-term biographical significance of this casting can’t be overstated—it marks a watershed moment for on-screen representation and will likely define Catherine’s career for years to come.

Thank you for listening. Make sure to subscribe so you never miss an update on Catherine Laga’aia, and if you want more rapid-fire biographies of today’s rising stars, search “Biography Flash” wherever you get your podcasts.

And that is it for today. Make sure you hit the subscribe button and never miss an update on Catherine Laga Aia. Thanks for listening. This has been a Quiet Please production."



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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.