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

The 24-year-old actress can simultaneously be seen on Broadway as Sally Bowles and on-screen reprising her animated Disney princess.

Auliʻi Cravalho was only 16 years old when she voiced her breakout role as Moana. And today, eight years later, she is reprising the iconic Disney character at the premiere of the much-anticipated sequel, “Moana 2.”

Auli’i Cravalho, the actor who voices Moana in Disney’s animated franchise of the same name, recently told People magazine that the money she earned off the success of the original 2016 film allowed her to buy a house for her mother.

NEW YORK -- Moana returns to the big screen this week to take us on a new adventure through Hawaii and Auli'i Cravalho returns as Moana alongside stars like the Rock and Nicole Scherzinger. But this is more than just a movie for Cravalho - it's a coming-of-age story and a dream come true.

Moana' star Auli'i Cravalho recently reflected on the sacrifices made by her mother, Puanani Cravalho, and their humble beginnings

"I feel so grateful to have a film where our heroine is a young woman of Pacific Island descent." Actress Auli'i Cravalho is proud to return to her role of "Moana" in the film's sequel.

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.