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How Catherine Laga'aia beat out 32,000 applicants to play live-action 'Moana'
By OTRC at ABC7 Los Angeles (KABC)
· June 30, 2026
· 1 min read
Catherine Laga'aia won the role of a lifetime in the live-action "Moana." And we're finding out just how many others applied for the part! Watch her shine in "Moana" in theaters July 10.
Key takeaway Watch her shine in "Moana" in theaters July 10.
Why this matters in The Los Angeles
The live-action adaptation of "Moana" is set to hit theaters on July 10, with local audiences likely eager to see Catherine Laga'aia bring the beloved character to life. As a community that prides itself on diversity and a thriving arts scene, Los Angeles will be watching with interest to see how this film resonates with residents. The fact that Laga'aia beat out 32,000 applicants for the role is a testament to the city's deep pool of talented performers, and her success may inspire a new generation of young actors in the area. With the film's release just around the corner, fans of the original animated movie will be looking to see how the live-action version stays true to the spirit of the story, and how Laga'aia's performance contributes to its overall impact.
About this story
Original reporting by ABC7 Los Angeles (KABC) . The Los Angeles surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit ABC7 Los Angeles (KABC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 30, 2026 ·
Source: ABC7 Los Angeles (KABC) ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Catherine Laga'aia won the role of a lifetime in the live-action "Moana." And we're finding out just how many others applied for the part! Watch her shine in "Moana" in theaters July 10.
When was this published? This article was first published on June 30, 2026 by ABC7 Los Angeles (KABC) and curated for The Los Angeles readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by OTRC at ABC7 Los Angeles (KABC). To learn more about how The Los Angeles selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Los Angeles, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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