When Moana Met Maui: Auliʻi Cravalho On Her Awkward First Encounter With The Rock
When Auliʻi Cravalho first met Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, it was a moment she’ll never forget — for reasons both heartwarming and hilariously awkward. The actress, now 24, recalls the time the towering star brought her flowers and gave her “the largest hug.” But the real scene-stealer? Her mom.
“He hugged my mom,” Auliʻi laughs, “and she goes, ‘Ooh, I’m going to go Rock climbing.’ I was so embarrassed because who says that?!”
At just 14 years old, Auliʻi was cast as the voice of Moana in Disney’s Polynesian-inspired animated hit. Working alongside Johnson, who voiced the charming demigod Maui, was more than just a career milestone — it was the start of a special connection.
Johnson quickly became a mentor to the young star, guiding her through the unfamiliar world of Hollywood. “Dwayne called me and he was like, ‘Listen, these are the people that I work with. These are the people that I trust on my team,’” Auliʻi shared. “And that was a kindness that I could have never expected from someone of his caliber.”e the people I trust. They’ll help you.“ It was a kindness I never expected.”
Even now, as they co-executive produce Disney’s live-action adaptation of Moana and reunite for the animated sequel, Dwayne continues to check in on her. “…He always has time to send a voice note or to connect via text: ‘Okay, tell me how you’re feeling. How did you feel about that Zoom?’ Those connections, those simple one- to two-minute check-ins make all the difference,” she said.
Despite their growing friendship, Auliʻi still sees Dwayne as more of a family figure. “In the islands, respect for elders is so ingrained,” she explains. “He’s like an all-knowing uncle.”
During their collaboration on the first Moana, Dwayne’s support was invaluable. But their bond has evolved as they’ve both taken on new roles. “Now we’re on text chains, email threads, and Zoom calls together,” Auliʻi says, marveling at how their relationship has grown since her teenage years.
Fun fact: Auliʻi’s father is also named Dwayne, leading to some texting confusion. “Whenever I type ‘Dwayne,’ I have to double-check if it’s Dwayne Johnson or Dwayne Cravalho,” she jokes.
