| 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 public) |
| Zodiac Sign | Not publicly confirmed |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
Catherine Laga’aia is an Australian actress of Samoan descent who was cast as the title character in Disney’s live-action Moana, opposite Dwayne Johnson as Maui. She stands about 5 ft 5 in (165 cm) tall and weighs 54 kg (119 lbs). She was 17 and still finishing high school in Sydney when Disney announced her casting in March 2024.
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.
Born Place
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Nationality
Australian. Her family traces its roots to the Samoan villages of Fa’aala, Palauli, and Leulumoega Tuai.
Education
She attended high school in Sydney and was in her final year of secondary school when she landed the Moana role. She had performed in school and community theatre productions before auditioning.
Occupation
Actress.
Family
Father – Jay Laga’aia, the New Zealand-born actor and presenter known for Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones, Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith, Xena: Warrior Princess, and years hosting ABC’s Play School
Mother – Sandie Laga’aia
Siblings – She’s one of eight children in the Laga’aia family
Her grandfather is Lani Tupu, the veteran Samoan-New Zealand actor best known as Pilot and Captain Bialar Crais on Farscape.
Net Worth
Estimated at around $500 thousand as of 2025. That figure should climb sharply once Moana reaches theatres.
Build
Slim and athletic.
Height
She’s reported to stand 5 ft 5 in (165 cm) tall.
At 5 ft 5 in (165 cm), Catherine Laga’aia stands about an inch taller than the average American woman (5 ft 4 in) and sees eye-to-eye with Auli’i Cravalho, the actress who originally voiced Moana.
Weight
Approximately 54 kg (119 lbs).
Boyfriend / Spouse
Catherine Laga’aia appears to be single as of 2025, and she hasn’t publicly discussed any romantic relationship. She was a teenager living at home in Sydney when she booked the biggest role of her life, and her public appearances since have been strictly professional — Disney press events, cast photos, and the occasional family snapshot with her father. Given how closely her family guards her privacy (Jay Laga’aia has spoken about protecting his children from the industry’s uglier edges), don’t expect a confirmed partner anytime soon.
Race / Ethnicity
Pacific Islander. She’s of Samoan heritage on both sides of her family.
Hair Color
Dark brown, naturally thick and wavy.
Eye Color
Dark brown.
Sexual Orientation
Straight.
Distinctive Features
Long, voluminous dark curls
Wide, expressive smile
Warm brown eyes
Strong resemblance to the animated Moana, which casting directors specifically noted
Religion
She was raised Christian, in keeping with her family’s Samoan cultural background.
Best Known For
Playing Moana in Disney’s live-action adaptation of Moana, directed by Thomas Kail and co-starring Dwayne Johnson as Maui, John Tui as Chief Tui, Frankie Adams as Sina, and Rena Owen as Gramma Tala. The film is scheduled for release on July 10, 2026.
First Film
Moana (2026) is her feature film debut — and she’s carrying it in the lead role.
Catherine Laga’aia’s Favorite Things
She’s spoken about growing up with the animated Moana on repeat, and she’s said the ocean and Samoan music are central to her sense of home. Family gatherings with traditional Samoan food, and her father’s Play School-era sing-alongs, are part of her everyday reference points.
Catherine Laga’aia’s Facts
Disney announced her casting on March 27, 2024, in a video featuring Dwayne Johnson, who revealed her name after talking about his own Polynesian family history.
She was 17 at the time of the announcement and had virtually no professional screen credits — a genuine unknown handed a franchise lead.
Her father Jay Laga’aia played Captain Typho, Padmé Amidala’s head of security, in two Star Wars prequels. He also spent more than a decade on Play School, which means a large chunk of Australia grew up watching her dad on television.
Her grandfather Lani Tupu voiced Pilot and played Crais across four seasons of Farscape, making her a third-generation screen performer.
The live-action Moana was originally dated for June 27, 2025, before Disney pushed it back a full year to July 10, 2026, to allow more production time.
Auli’i Cravalho, who voiced Moana in the 2016 animated film and its 2024 sequel, chose not to reprise the role in live-action and instead signed on as an executive producer — she was involved in the search that found Laga’aia.
Thomas Kail, who directed the Broadway production of Hamilton and its filmed version, is helming the movie.
Her family’s Samoan villages — Fa’aala, Palauli, and Leulumoega Tuai — were named in Disney’s official casting announcement, an unusual detail for a studio press release and a deliberate nod to the film’s cultural grounding.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Catherine Laga’aia?
Catherine Laga’aia is 5 ft 5 in tall, which is 165 cm. That places her just above the average adult woman’s height.
How much does Catherine Laga’aia weigh?
Catherine Laga’aia weighs approximately 54 kg (119 lbs). Her slim, athletic frame suits the physically demanding ocean-voyaging role she plays on screen.
How old is Catherine Laga’aia?
Catherine Laga’aia was born in 2006, making her around 19 to 20 years old. Her exact date of birth has not been made public.
What is Catherine Laga’aia known for?
She is best known for being cast as Moana in Disney’s live-action adaptation of Moana. It marks her breakout feature-film role after early Australian television work.
What is Catherine Laga’aia’s net worth?
Her net worth has not been publicly disclosed. As an emerging actress headlining a major Disney film, her earnings are expected to rise significantly.
Is Catherine Laga’aia dating anyone?
Catherine Laga’aia has not publicly confirmed a boyfriend or partner. She keeps her personal life private and focuses on her acting career.
What is Catherine Laga’aia’s ethnic background?
She is an Australian actress of Samoan heritage, with family roots in the villages of Fasito’o Uta and Le’auva’a. Her Pacific Islander background was a meaningful part of her connection to the role of Moana.
Trending Now
Last Updated: September 17, 2026 | Source: Healthy Celeb
