| Catherine Laga’aia Quick Info | |
|---|---|
| Height | 5 ft 5 in or 165 cm (approx.) |
| Weight | 55 kg or 121 lbs (approx.) |
| Date of Birth | 2006 (exact date not public) |
| Zodiac Sign | Not publicly confirmed |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
Catherine Laga’aia is an Australian actress of Samoan descent who plays the title role in Disney’s live-action Moana, the studio’s summer 2026 tentpole. She stands approximately 5 ft 5 in (165 cm) tall and weighs around 55 kg (121 lbs). Cast at 17 with almost no feature-film experience, she went from an open search to fronting one of the biggest family films of the decade.
Born Name
Catherine Laga’aia.
Nick Name
Cat.
Sun Sign
Her exact birth date hasn’t been made public, so her sun sign remains unconfirmed. She was reported as 17 years old when Disney announced her casting in April 2024.
Born Place
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Nationality
Australian. Her family ties run to the Samoan villages of Fa’ala, Palauli, and Leulumoega Tuai.
Education
She completed her schooling in Sydney and was still finishing her final year of high school around the time she auditioned for Moana.
Occupation
Actress.
Family
Father – Jay Laga’aia, the New Zealand-born actor and television presenter known for Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones, Xena: Warrior Princess, and years hosting Play School in Australia
Mother – Sandie Laga’aia
Siblings – She’s one of several children in a large family
Her maternal grandfather was Misa Telefoni Retzlaff, a former Deputy Prime Minister of Samoa.
Net Worth
Around $1 million as of 2026. Most of that stems from her Moana salary and the promotional work attached to a global Disney release.
Build
Slim and athletic.
Height
Catherine Laga’aia is 5 ft 5 in or 165 cm tall. Anyone searching “how tall is Catherine Laga’aia” will find that Disney has never released official measurements, so the figure is drawn from red-carpet comparisons with co-stars.
At 5 ft 5 in (165 cm), Catherine Laga’aia stands just above the average Australian woman (about 5 ft 4 in) and is a couple of inches taller than Auli’i Cravalho, who voiced Moana in the animated films.
Weight
55 kg or 121 lbs.
Boyfriend / Spouse
Catherine Laga’aia is single as of 2026, at least publicly. She has never confirmed a relationship in an interview, and her social media stays fixed on family, Samoan culture, and work. That’s partly by design — she was a teenager when the casting announcement landed, and her parents have been openly protective of her privacy. Jay Laga’aia has spent three decades in the industry and reportedly coached her through the sudden attention that followed the April 2024 announcement video, in which Dwayne Johnson introduced her to the world. Tabloids have tried to link her to co-stars during the press tour; none of it held up.
Race / Ethnicity
Pacific Islander. She is Samoan on both sides of her family.
Hair Color
Dark brown, nearly black, worn long and naturally wavy.
Eye Color
Dark brown.
Sexual Orientation
Straight.
Distinctive Features
– Long dark curls, kept close to her natural texture for the role
– Wide, expressive smile
– Warm olive-brown complexion
– Strong resemblance to the animated Moana, which several casting reports flagged as uncanny
Religion
Christianity. Church is a central part of Samoan-Australian family life, and hers is no exception.
Best Known For
Playing Moana in Disney’s live-action Moana, directed by Thomas Kail, opposite Dwayne Johnson as Maui. The film opened in July 2026 and made her the face of the studio’s biggest Pacific-set property.
First Film
Moana (2026) is her feature film debut. Very few actors have debuted in a title role of that scale.
First TV Show
Her earliest on-camera work came through small Australian television roles before she turned 18, none of which she has promoted since.
Personal Trainer
She trained extensively for the physical demands of the part — swimming, paddling, rope work, and stunt rehearsal — under Disney’s production team during the shoot, which ran through late 2024 and into 2025. Ocean sequences required weeks of water conditioning.
Catherine Laga’aia’s Favorite Things
Food – Samoan staples like palusami and taro
Music – Pacific Island artists and the original Moana soundtrack, which she grew up with
Color – Ocean blue
Place – Samoa, where her extended family still lives
Catherine Laga’aia’s Facts
- She was announced as Moana on April 3, 2024, in a video Dwayne Johnson posted from Hawaii — he’d learned her name only shortly before filming the message.
- Her father Jay Laga’aia played Captain Typho in two Star Wars prequels, meaning the family now has credits in two of the largest franchises on earth.
- She was the same age Moana is meant to be in the story when she was cast, a rarity for Disney leads.
- Her grandfather served as Deputy Prime Minister of Samoa, and Samoan press covered her casting as a national story.
- The original animated Moana came out in 2016, when she was around 10 — she has said she watched it repeatedly as a kid.
- She had to learn to handle a sailing canoe as part of her preparation.
- AuliÊ»i Cravalho, who voiced the animated Moana, stepped back from the live-action lead role and served as a producer instead, publicly welcoming Laga’aia into the part.
- She keeps a notably small social media footprint for a Disney lead, posting sparingly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Catherine Laga’aia?
Catherine Laga’aia is approximately 5 ft 5 in (165 cm) tall.
How much does Catherine Laga’aia weigh?
She weighs roughly 55 kg (121 lbs), which suits her slim, athletic frame.
How old is Catherine Laga’aia?
She was born in 2006, making her around 19-20 years old. Her exact birth date has not been made public.
What is Catherine Laga’aia’s net worth?
Her net worth has not been publicly disclosed. As an emerging actress, her earnings come primarily from film and television work.
Is Catherine Laga’aia dating anyone?
Catherine Laga’aia keeps her personal life private and has not publicly confirmed a relationship.
What is Catherine Laga’aia known for?
She is best known for being cast as Moana in Disney’s live-action adaptation of Moana, her breakout leading role.
What is Catherine Laga’aia’s ethnicity and nationality?
She is Australian with Samoan heritage, and her family traces its roots to the villages of Fa’ala, Palauli, and Leulumoega Tuai in Samoa.
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Last Updated: September 28, 2026 | Source: Healthy Celeb
