| Catherine Laga’aia Quick Info | |
|---|---|
| Height | 5 ft 5 in or 165 cm |
| Weight | 54 kg or 119 lbs |
| Date of Birth | 2006 (exact date not publicly confirmed) |
| Zodiac Sign | Not 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, released July 10, 2026. She stands 5 ft 5 in (165 cm) tall and weighs approximately 54 kg (119 lbs). Cast at 17 with almost no screen credits behind her, she went from a Sydney schoolgirl to the face of one of the summer’s biggest box office titles.
Born Name
Catherine Laga’aia. Her surname is Samoan and is pronounced “Lah-nga-EE-ah.”
Nick Name
Cat.
Born Place
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Nationality
Australian.
Education
She completed her secondary schooling in Sydney and was still a high school student when Disney announced her casting in April 2024. Production on Moana was scheduled around her studies.
Occupation
Actress.
Family
Father – Jay Laga’aia, the New Zealand-born actor and television presenter of Samoan heritage who played Captain Typho in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones and Episode III – Revenge of the Sith, appeared in Xena: Warrior Princess and Water Rats, and hosted ABC’s Play School for years.
Mother – Not publicly named.
Siblings – She’s one of eight children.
Her maternal grandfather is Samoan actor To’oto’oali’i Roger Sanerivi, and Disney’s casting announcement referenced her family’s ties to the Samoan villages of Fasito’o Uta and Leulumoega on Upolu, plus family from Savai’i.
Net Worth
$1 million as of 2026. The bulk of that comes from her Moana salary; before the film she had no significant earnings as a performer.
Build
Slim and athletic. The role required extensive open-water and canoe work, and she trained for swimming and paddling sequences before and during the shoot.
Height
Catherine Laga’aia is 5 ft 5 in (165 cm) tall — a common search query given how often she’s photographed beside 6 ft 5 in co-star Dwayne Johnson.
At 5 ft 5 in (165 cm), Catherine Laga’aia stands just above the average Australian woman (about 5 ft 4 in) and is roughly the same height as Auli’i Cravalho, who originally voiced Moana.
Weight
Around 54 kg (119 lbs).
Boyfriend / Spouse
Catherine Laga’aia is single as of 2026, at least publicly. She has never confirmed a relationship, doesn’t discuss dating in interviews, and keeps her social media focused on family, Samoan culture and film promotion. Given that she was 17 when she landed the role and turned 18 during production, most of her public life so far has been spent either on set in Hawaii or doing press with her parents nearby. Jay Laga’aia has been openly protective in interviews about his daughter entering the industry so young, and she has said her family acts as her sounding board on career decisions. No boyfriend has been linked to her by any credible outlet.
Race / Ethnicity
Pacific Islander. She’s Samoan by heritage and Australian by birth, with New Zealand family connections through her father.
Hair Color
Black.
Eye Color
Dark brown.
Sexual Orientation
Straight.
Distinctive Features
Long, thick black curls worn natural
Warm, wide smile with prominent cheekbones
Expressive dark brown eyes
Compact, athletic swimmer’s frame
Best Known For
Playing Moana in Disney’s live-action remake of Moana, directed by Thomas Kail from a screenplay by Jared Bush and Dana Ledoux Miller, opposite Dwayne Johnson as Maui, Rena Owen as Gramma Tala, John Tui as Chief Tui and Frankie Adams as Sina. Auli’i Cravalho, who voiced the character in the 2016 animated film, served as an executive producer and was part of the search that found her replacement.
First Film
Moana (2026). It’s rare for a performer’s feature debut to also be a studio tentpole lead — she beat out thousands of applicants in an open global casting call.
Personal Trainer
No named trainer has been made public. Her physical prep centered on ocean swimming, breath work and outrigger canoe paddling, plus stunt rehearsal for the storm and reef sequences.
Catherine Laga’aia’s Favorite Things
She has called the 2016 animated Moana a film she watched constantly as a kid, and singled out Auli’i Cravalho’s vocal performance as the reason she wanted to act. She’s spoken warmly about Samoan food and about spending time with her large extended family.
Catherine Laga’aia’s Facts
Dwayne Johnson personally announced her casting in a video message posted to Disney’s channels in April 2024, filmed with her family present.
Her father Jay Laga’aia auditioned for a role in the same production — a detail she’s mentioned with obvious amusement in interviews.
She was 17 at the time of casting and turned 18 during the shoot, which meant her working hours were legally restricted for part of production.
The open casting call for Moana drew thousands of submissions from across the Pacific, Australia and New Zealand.
Her grandfather, To’oto’oali’i Roger Sanerivi, is a Samoan actor and matai (chief title holder), making her a third-generation performer.
She learned traditional Samoan dance and language elements as part of her preparation, working with cultural advisors attached to the production.
Moana was originally dated for June 27, 2025, then pushed to July 10, 2026 — a delay that gave the production extra time in Hawaii.
Before the film, her public profile was essentially nonexistent; her follower count went from the low thousands to millions within days of the casting announcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Catherine Laga’aia?
Catherine Laga’aia is 5 feet 5 inches tall, which is 165 centimeters.
How much does Catherine Laga’aia weigh?
She weighs approximately 54 kilograms, or about 119 pounds.
How old is Catherine Laga’aia?
Catherine Laga’aia was born in 2006, making her around 19 to 20 years old. Her exact birth date has not been publicly confirmed.
What is Catherine Laga’aia’s net worth?
Her net worth has not been publicly disclosed. As an early-career actress headlining a major Disney film, her earnings are expected to grow significantly.
What is Catherine Laga’aia known for?
She is best known for being cast as Moana in Disney’s live-action adaptation of Moana. She previously appeared in Australian television, including the drama series The Twelve.
Is Catherine Laga’aia related to Jay Laga’aia?
Yes. Catherine Laga’aia is the daughter of Australian-New Zealand actor Jay Laga’aia, known for Star Wars and Play School.
Is Catherine Laga’aia dating anyone in 2026?
Catherine Laga’aia keeps her personal life private and has not publicly confirmed a relationship. She is not known to be dating anyone as of 2026.
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Last Updated: September 20, 2026 | Source: Healthy Celeb
