When she was growing up, Makamae Auwae enjoyed watching Disney’s animated characters, especially the Native American princess Pocahontas from the 1995 film of the same name.
But she never imagined she could be one — until now.
Auwae, a 19-year-old singer from Maui, received a callback from the studio after submitting an audition video for the title role in Disney’s upcoming movie “Moana.” The studio told Auwae last week that she will have to come in for a live audition, which the singer said will likely be in the next two weeks.
Set in the South Pacific world of ancient Oceania, “Moana” has been described by Disney as a sweeping comedy-adventure about a spirited teenage navigator who embarks on an impossible mission. During her journey she teams up with Maui the demigod,
who will be voiced by professional wrestler-turned-actor Dwayne Johnson.
Auwae said she’s a natural for the part: She’s part Hawaiian, speaks Hawaiian, and her personality matches the main character’s.
“The way they described Moana — a free-spirited person who goes for it — well, if I was to say how I see myself, that is what I would say,” Auwae said. “And it’s my culture. Who doesn’t want to repre- sent their culture?”
Auwae grew up on Maui in a family of singers — her mother was a backup singer in the reggae band Sly Dog, and her uncle had a gospel reggae band called Testafiyah. The 2013 Baldwin High School graduate mostly sang in church, but that was good enough to land her a spot with Christafari, a gospel reggae group that tours around the world.
When Christafari came through Maui not long after graduation — and minus a singer — Auwae joined the group and moved to Los Angeles, where she lives now. She was with the group until last month, when she left for other pursuits. She hopes that will include acting.
Besides, she’s always wanted to be a princess.
“I wanted to try it out,” she said. “Who doesn’t want to be a Disney princess?”
“Moana” is expected in theaters in 2016.
