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.

But something that I wasn’t expecting to appreciate so much about Moana 2 is getting the chance to see the animated character grow and mature. When CinemaBlend spoke to the princess’s voice actress, Auli’i Cravalho,

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

Cravalho shot to fame in 2016 after voicing the lead in "Moana," Disney's highest-grossing animated princess movie other than the "Frozen" titles. She was 16 when it premiered — and told People that before the movie, she was living on food stamps.

Moana' and 'Moana 2' star Auliʻi Cravalho tells PEOPLE that she bought her mother, Puanani, a house after the Polynesian-inspired Disney movie changed the Hawaii native's life overnight: 'She's happil

Moana star Auli’i Cravalho paid her family forward for supporting her in her rise to fame.

Auli'i Cravalho opened up about growing up in Hawaii before getting her big break voicing a Disney princess in the 'Moana' films

Auliʻi Cravalho reflects on what "Moana" has meant to her, and how she continues to try and challenge herself in other roles

Plus, on top of this just being a fun little fantasy, it also shows all the amazing, strong women who are Disney princesses. There are so many great role models among the ladies, and strong, independent, powerful and confident women like Moana, Merida and more are always wonderful to see on the big screen.

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