Years ago, Auliʻi Cravalho roamed her Hawaiian school where everyone called her “Moana.” Now, eight years later and thousands of miles away, she’s navigating life in New York City.

“Today I almost got hit by a cyclist. Oops! I don’t wear contacts all the time,” Cravalho shares. At just 16, she voiced the lead character in Disney’s animated musical “Moana,” and now she’s performing as Sally Bowles in the Broadway revival of “Cabaret,” tackling the hustle of city life. “It’s a place that keeps me alert. I can’t wait to return to Hawaii and enjoy island time, where being 10-15 minutes late is expected. That’s definitely not the case here.”

Her character Moana sings about her incredible journey, and indeed, Cravalho has experienced significant change in under ten years. In “Moana 2,” which is currently in theaters, Moana embarks on a new adventure to unite her people with the ocean. Meanwhile, Cravalho has moved beyond her youthful film roles in works like “All Together Now” and “Mean Girls” to embrace a part that truly reflects her growth as a 24-year-old performer.

“Sally Bowles is incredibly different from Moana,” Cravalho asserts. “I’ve openly expressed my desire to take on roles outside of high school. Playing Sally lets me explore madness every night, which is exactly what I wanted and more.”

Cravalho shares her thoughts on returning as an animated character, her role as executive producer for the upcoming live-action “Moana” film, and her future endeavors.

Question: Can you take us back to your life before “Moana”? What was it like?

Auliʻi Cravalho: My mom and I lived in a small one-bedroom apartment. I remember practicing “Moana” songs there. The walls were thin, and our downstairs neighbors had a newborn, so we had to coordinate with them to avoid waking the baby. They often cheered for me when I sang “I am Moana!” They were my first audience for the whole soundtrack.

What part of your teenage self still resonates within you?

A lot of who I am today stems from who I was at 16 or 17. The theater enthusiast in me has been given the freedom to fully express herself. I cherish being in a recording booth because I can explore new voices and inflections without worrying about being on camera.

I still maintain a close relationship with my mom. Being an adult, I manage my own schedule, and she’s extremely proud. However, I still rely on her for things like ordering food through Instacart or sending me Uber Eats. Just the other day, she bought me some pimple patches from Amazon — priceless knowledge that only a mom can provide.

What part of Moana’s story in the sequel resonates with you?

If the first film focused on connecting with the past, this one is about looking towards the future. I was deeply moved by Moana’s little sister, Simea. Every time she appeared, I found myself teary-eyed. I loved how the theme of growth played out, especially when Moana thinks her journey will be simple, only to realize that her destiny is something beyond her control.

“Moana” has become iconic. What has it meant to inspire a generation of young girls and musical theater lovers?

I never imagined that at 24, I would play a role that would have such a profound impact, not just on young girls, but also on parents and anyone trying to navigate life as the star of their own journey without relying on a love interest. This experience has been incredible. Currently, I’m in “Cabaret,” and I met two young girls at the stage door, one of whom performed a song from the musical.

They performed “Far I’ll Go” for their middle school talent show and a different piece for their senior showcase.

What is it like to be a Broadway star?

Being a Broadway star is quite challenging and humbling. I’ve lost my voice, and my castmates jokingly refer to my aches as love bites or theater bites, which are basically bruises. I’m covered in bruises from the choreography, my legs are sore, and I still occasionally forget my lines. But despite all that, it’s a blast! It’s truly a privilege to endure the demanding world of Broadway.

And you’re also working on producing a “Moana” film.

Why are there so many emails? How does anyone keep up with that volume of emails every day? (Laughs) I’m grateful to my team for helping me adjust to this new role. Honestly, I’m used to being the one receiving care − I’m talent. Transitioning to producing means I’m fully involved now.

I’m excited to head in this new direction. There are countless stories that can be told from a young Pasifika perspective, but I don’t want to act indefinitely. I’m starting my day with managing emails and eventually will tackle budgeting. It’s a significant step, but I’ll get there.

What’s next for you after “Cabaret”?

If you have a script for me to read, go ahead and send it my way. I’m already booked until March. I’m living with my best friend, and we’ve been manifesting our dream of living in New York City since middle school. Honestly, I haven’t even explored the Met or MoMA yet. I hope to take some time after the show to relax and enjoy a well-deserved victory lap.