Catherine Laga'aia Biography

Catherine Laga'aia is an Australian actress who rose to international attention after landing the lead role in Moana (2026), Disney's live-action adaptation of the beloved animated classic. Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, Catherine is of Samoan and English heritage and comes from a family with deep ties to the entertainment industry.

Her father is actor and singer Jay Laga'aia, who is known for portraying Captain Typho in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002) and Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005), as well as for his work in Australian television and children's entertainment. Growing up in a creative household, Catherine developed an interest in acting at an early age and later studied drama at Newtown High School of the Performing Arts in Sydney.

Catherine made her screen debut as Young Candy in The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart (2023) before earning her breakthrough role as Moana in Disney's live-action adaptation of Moana (2026). Her breakthrough came in 2024 when Disney announced that she had been cast as Moana after an extensive international search that attracted more than 32,000 hopefuls. Starring opposite Dwayne Johnson, she leads the live-action retelling of the Polynesian adventure that first captivated audiences in 2016.

In addition to Moana, Catherine has been cast in the Australian thriller Crashout (2006). She has spoken about the importance of authentic Pacific Islander representation in film and hopes her work will inspire young audiences to see themselves reflected on screen. ~Chidera Arimah

Filmography:
Crashout (2026)
Moana (2026)
The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart (2023)