Catherine Laga’aia is a 19-year-old Australian actress from Sydney who landed the title role in Disney’s live-action Moana (2026) after being selected from a global open casting call. She comes from a Samoan-Australian family with genuine Pacific Islander roots, making her one of the most authentic and celebrated casting choices Disney has made in recent years. Her father is the well-known actor Jay Laga’aia, famous for his role in the Star Wars prequel films. Below is everything you need to know about Catherine Laga’aia.
Who Is Catherine Laga’aia?
Catherine Laga’aia is a 19-year-old Australian actress from Sydney who made history in 2024 when Disney selected her from a global open casting call to play the title role in its live-action remake of Moana. The film is set for theatrical release on July 10, 2026, and stars Catherine alongside Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, who reprises his role as the demigod Maui.
What makes her casting so powerful is the authenticity behind it. Catherine is not simply playing a Polynesian character. She genuinely comes from a Samoan family with deep roots in Pacific Island culture, the very culture that inspired the original 2016 animated film. At just 17 years old when she was cast, with barely any screen credits to her name, landing one of the biggest Disney roles in recent memory is nothing short of extraordinary.
She also comes from one of Australia’s most recognisable entertainment families. Her father is Jay Laga’aia, the New Zealand-Australian actor known internationally for playing Captain Typho in the Star Wars prequel films.
Catherine Laga’aia Quick Bio
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Catherine Laga’aia |
| Date of Birth | December 17, 2006 |
| Age (2026) | 19 years old |
| Birthplace | Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Ethnicity | Samoan-Australian (Pacific Islander) |
| Height | 5 ft 2 in (157 cm) |
| Profession | Actress |
| Known For | Moana (2026), The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart (2023) |
| Father | Jay Laga’aia (actor, Star Wars) |
| Mother | Sandie Jane Laga’aia |
| Siblings | 7 siblings (one of 8 children) |
| Net Worth (2026) | Estimated low to mid six figures (pre-Moana release) |
| @catherinelagaaia (34K+ followers) |
Catherine Laga’aia Age: How Old Is She in 2026?
Catherine Laga’aia is 19 years old in 2026. She was born on December 17, 2006, in Sydney, Australia. She was only 17 years old when Disney announced her casting in June 2024, making her one of the youngest actresses ever to land a Disney lead role through an open global audition process. By the time Moana hits theatres on July 10, 2026, she will have just turned 19.
Early Life and Family Background
Catherine Laga’aia was born on December 17, 2006, in Sydney, Australia, into a large and creative household. She is one of eight children, growing up in a home that was always full of energy, performance, and a deep sense of Samoan cultural pride.
Her Polynesian roots run deep and are very real. When Disney announced her casting, she shared the following in an official statement:
“My grandfather comes from Fa’aala, Palauli, in Savai’i. And my grandmother is from Leulumoega Tuai on the main island of Upolu in Samoa. I am honored to have an opportunity to celebrate Samoa and all Pacific Island peoples, and to represent young girls who look like me.”
This genuine connection to the culture behind Moana was widely praised by fans and critics alike, who felt Disney had made exactly the right choice by prioritising authentic Pacific Islander representation.
Growing up in a family of eight children meant Catherine was surrounded by creativity, noise, and performance from day one. Several of her siblings are also pursuing careers in entertainment. Her older brother Iosefa, for example, has been cast in an Australian stage production of Hamilton, playing both George Washington and Aaron Burr.
Who Is Her Father Jay Laga’aia?
Catherine’s father is Jay Laga’aia, a hugely respected New Zealand-Australian actor and singer who has been working in film, television, and stage since the early 1980s.
Jay Laga’aia was born on September 10, 1963, in Auckland, New Zealand. He is best known internationally for playing Captain Typho, Padme Amidala’s chief bodyguard, in both Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002) and Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005). His best man at his wedding was his fellow Star Wars cast mate, the late Temuera Morrison.
Beyond Star Wars, Jay is a beloved figure in Australian entertainment. He was a long-running presenter on the iconic children’s TV show Play School and played recurring roles in Water Rats, Home and Away, and Xena: Warrior Princess. He also played Mufasa in the Sydney stage production of The Lion King and hosted his own children’s show, Jay’s Jungle, from 2015 to 2018.
Jay has been married to Sandie Jane Laga’aia since August 16, 1990. Sandie is a deputy principal at Sydney Secondary College Balmain Campus. Together they have eight children, including Catherine.
When Catherine was cast as Moana, her father celebrated on Instagram, sharing that Catherine would be joining her “huge adventure” alongside her mother and one of her sisters. “You travel with the teachings of your parents and the love of your family and friends,” Jay wrote in the post.
Catherine Laga’aia Career
The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart (2023)
Catherine made her screen debut in 2023 in the Amazon Prime Video drama series The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart, appearing in three episodes as Young Candy. The show starred Sigourney Weaver and was a high-profile production, giving Catherine her first real experience on a professional set. Her performance caught the attention of casting directors despite the role being relatively small.
In a notable connection, actress Frankie Adams played the adult version of the same character Candy in the series. Adams would later be cast as Moana’s mother, Sina, in the live-action Moana alongside Catherine.
Disney’s Live-Action Moana (2026)
In June 2024, Disney officially announced that Catherine Laga’aia had been cast as Moana in its upcoming live-action remake, directed by Thomas Kail (who also directed Hamilton on Broadway and Disney+). She was selected from a global open casting call, beating out thousands of hopefuls from around the world.
At the time of her casting, she had no film credits and barely any television experience. Disney chose her anyway, and it is clear why. In the words of director Thomas Kail: “I am thrilled to have met Catherine through this casting process. There is no better pair to be in a canoe with than Catherine and Dwayne.”
Filming took place from July to November 2024. The film also stars John Tui as Chief Tui (Moana’s father), Frankie Adams as Sina (Moana’s mother), and Rena Owen as Gramma Tala. Dwayne Johnson returns as Maui. Original songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda serves as a producer on the film.
Catherine also sings the iconic anthem “How Far I’ll Go” in the film, a major undertaking for any young performer.
Auliʻi Cravalho, who voiced Moana in the original 2016 animated film and its 2024 sequel, serves as an executive producer on the live-action remake and has been a strong supporter of Catherine. “Catherine Laga’aia is so stunning and beautiful, and I cannot wait for everyone to see her as Moana,” Cravalho told Entertainment Tonight. “I have lived this story, and I cannot wait for this passing of the baton onto the next young woman of color.”
Crashout (Upcoming)
Beyond Moana, Catherine has also been cast in Crashout, an Australian thriller film directed by Nick Annas, in which she plays a character named Riley. This project signals that she is building her career beyond the Disney franchise and is taking on diverse roles.
Catherine Laga’aia Height and Physical Appearance
Catherine Laga’aia stands at 5 ft 2 in (157 cm) tall. She has a warm, expressive screen presence that audiences and directors have noted makes her immediately compelling on camera. Despite being a teenager with very limited experience when she was cast, her natural charisma and physical suitability for the role of Moana were clear from the moment Disney revealed the first trailer in November 2025.
Catherine Laga’aia on Social Media
Catherine Laga’aia is on Instagram at @catherinelagaaia, where she had over 34,000 followers as of 2026. Her bio describes her as “‘Moana’ in Disney’s live-action Moana, coming to theatres July 10, 2026.” Given that Moana had not yet released as of mid-2026, her following is expected to explode significantly once the film hits global cinemas. She has posted only a handful of times, keeping her social presence relatively quiet ahead of the big release.
Personal Life
Catherine Laga’aia keeps a very low profile outside of her work. She has not publicly confirmed any romantic relationships. By her own accounts and those of people who have worked with her, she is close to her family and has remained grounded despite the enormous attention that came with the Moana announcement.
Her mother Sandie travelled with her during the filming period in 2024, and one of her sisters also accompanied her, keeping the family connection strong throughout what Jay Laga’aia described as her “huge adventure.”
Her cultural identity is something she speaks about openly and with genuine pride. Growing up in a Samoan-Australian household meant that Pacific Islander traditions, storytelling, and community values were simply part of everyday life for her, not something she discovered when she got the Moana role.
Catherine Laga’aia Net Worth
Catherine Laga’aia’s net worth as of 2026 is estimated to be in the low to mid six-figure range. She is still in the very early stages of her career and her biggest film, Moana, had not yet been released as of the time of writing. Her exact earnings from the Disney film have not been publicly disclosed, but as the lead of a major Disney theatrical release with a reported budget in the hundreds of millions, her pay is expected to be substantial by industry standards for a debut film actress of her age and profile. Once Moana releases globally and if it performs well at the box office, her net worth and commercial opportunities in fashion, brand partnerships, and future film roles are expected to grow very rapidly.
Catherine Laga’aia Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Type |
| 2023 | The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart | Young Candy (3 episodes) | Amazon Prime Video Series |
| 2026 | Moana | Moana (lead role) | Disney Theatrical Film |
| TBA | Crashout | Riley | Australian Thriller Film |
FAQs
How old is Catherine Laga’aia?
She is 19 years old in 2026. She was born on December 17, 2006, in Sydney, Australia.
Who is Catherine Laga’aia’s father?
Her father is Jay Laga’aia, a New Zealand-Australian actor best known for playing Captain Typho in Star Wars: Episode II and Episode III, and for his long run on the Australian children’s show Play School.
What is Catherine Laga’aia’s height?
She stands at 5 ft 2 in (approximately 157 cm).
Who does Catherine Laga’aia play in the Moana live-action film?
She plays Moana, the title character, in Disney’s live-action remake of the 2016 animated film. The movie is directed by Thomas Kail and is scheduled for release on July 10, 2026.
How was Catherine Laga’aia cast as Moana?
She was selected through a global open casting call that Disney conducted to find the right actress for the role. She was 17 years old at the time and had only one television credit to her name.
Is Catherine Laga’aia really Samoan?
Yes. Her grandfather comes from Fa’aala, Palauli, in Savai’i (Samoa), and her grandmother is from Leulumoega Tuai on the main island of Upolu in Samoa. Her Pacific Islander heritage is genuine, which was one of the reasons her casting was so widely celebrated.
What was Catherine Laga’aia’s first acting role?
Her first screen role was as Young Candy in three episodes of the Amazon Prime Video drama series The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart in 2023.
Does Catherine Laga’aia have siblings?
Yes. She is one of eight children. Several of her siblings are also involved in entertainment, including her older brother Iosefa who has performed in a stage production of Hamilton in Australia.
Does Catherine Laga’aia sing in Moana?
Yes. She sings “How Far I’ll Go,” the iconic anthem from the original animated film, in the live-action version.
Who is the original voice of Moana?
Auliʻi Cravalho voiced Moana in the 2016 animated film and its 2024 sequel Moana 2. Cravalho serves as an executive producer on the live-action remake and has praised Catherine’s performance publicly.
What is Catherine Laga’aia’s Instagram?
She is on Instagram at @catherinelagaaia.
What is Catherine Laga’aia’s net worth?
Her net worth in 2026 is estimated in the low to mid six-figure range, though this is expected to rise significantly following the release of Moana.
Conclusion
Catherine Laga’aia is one of the most exciting young actresses to emerge in years. She is 19 years old, comes from a famous entertainment family, carries genuine Samoan heritage, and has already landed the lead role in one of Disney’s most anticipated live-action remakes. With Moana releasing on July 10, 2026, and a second film Crashout already in the pipeline, she is clearly building a career that extends well beyond a single role. Watch this space closely because Catherine Laga’aia is only just getting started.