FUSE TV - Future Asian & Pacific History Month: Auli'i Cravalho's Onscreen & Offscreen Empowerment

Fuse is celebrating Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month by looking at a variety of rising forces who are creating Future Asian and Pacific History before our eyes. Voicing a Disney princess is a big honor, but also comes with a lot of baggage. While the likes of Sleeping Beauty and Snow White have recently gotten a bad rap for needing a prince to ultimately secure their happiness, the latest, Moana, brings a whole new, empowering perspective to the gang being voiced by an actress with an inspiring outlook.

Auli'i Cravalho is the 16-year-old Kohala, Hawaii native who was the last hopeful that Disney casting agents saw when auditioning potential talent to voice Moana's titular character. While Moana will likely be branded and promoted alongside the likes of Cinderella, Jasmine and Tiana, the rising star is quick to point out that "Moana is definitely a Disney heroine." She told Seventeen magazine, "She's wonderful, empowered and empowering."

A proud Polynesian herself, the island actress-singer has been very adamant and open about her background and the importance of Disney representing her culture in the movie. "I'm Hawaiian, and I can honestly say I'm proud of this film," she added. "I think the entire Polynesian culture is so well seen in this movie. Disney has been researching this film for five years. So it's done really well, and I'm proud of it."