Before achieving success with Disney, the star of 'Moana 2' grew up on food stamps.

Disney's Moana voice actor, Auli'i Cravalho, faced challenges in her early life.

In a recent interview with People magazine, the 24-year-old actress discussed how landing the role that transformed her life.

She expressed her satisfaction with being able to reflect on a complete decade of growth and development.

In 2016, Cravalho and her mother were on food stamps and residing in a one-bedroom apartment in Mililani on Oahu before she voiced the lead character in "Moana."

"When I was cast, we resided in a one-bedroom apartment in Mililani. I slept in the bedroom while my mom slept on the couch. She provided me with everything," the "Mean Girls" star stated.

Puanani, Cravalho's mother, received a house from her daughter after the success of the first "Moana."

She told People that she bought her mother a house, and her mother is happily retired.

""Kids feel a little indebted to their parents, but we feel so grateful for their sacrifices," she continued."

"We lived in a one-bedroom apartment in Mililani when I was cast. I slept in the bedroom, my mom slept on the couch. She gave me everything." — Auli'i Cravalho

From the start of her career, Cravalho's parents, who divorced when she was young, kept her grounded.

"If Moana doesn't go anywhere, you need to finish high school, do the dishes, fix your bed, and not let it get to your head," she said.

In an interview with The New York Times, Cravalho stated that she immediately linked to the character.

"I was no longer known as Auli'i, but as Moana, and even my teachers called me that way," she said when asked about the day she learned of the change.

"Moana played a crucial role in launching my career, and I have taken on challenging roles that have helped me develop as an actor and as a person. However, despite my professional growth, I still feel a strong bond with Moana because I miss my family when I'm away."

Cravalho pondered on the experience of being a "Disney kid" with People, stating, "Much of it involves devoting all of one's energy to a project and leaving nothing left for oneself."

She confessed that she could be inflexible when it came to completing homework and acknowledged that her mother was the one who enforced discipline.

"At that moment, she was the one who truly supported me and encouraged me to grow as a person. Although it was difficult for her to let me make my own mistakes, she looked me in the eye and said, 'You need to be kind and kind to me.' It was during those moments that I realized the importance of setting boundaries and taking care of myself."