Laga’aia, the daughter of Samoan-Kiwi actor Jay Laga’aia, played the part of the taupou (ceremonial maiden) during a dance known as the taualuga. The young actress, whose traditional ensemble included a large headpiece called a tuiga, performed the Samoan siva (dance) with beauty and grace.
Speaking to Good Morning America later, Johnson explained the way in which he danced in support of his co-star. The dance is known in Samoan custom as ‘aiuli. His two young daughters – Jasmine and Tiana Johnson – also took to the stage, showing off their own Samoan siva skills in support of the Moana actress.
Catherine Laga’aia performs onstage during the Moana world premiere at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, California. Photo / Getty Images for Disney
“For me to [be wearing] the pale and the ie toga, it’s very traditional, and it can be very emotional as well,” Johnson said.
“To have Catherine, who is our Moana … do what she did at this very young age – where the entire film and pressure of being Moana is on her shoulders – I’m so proud of her. I’m so proud of our culture as well. Everybody showed up.”
Johnson often speaks about his pride in his Samoan roots and his love for his mother, Ata Johnson. He hails from the district of Falealili, on the main island of Upolu.
“It’s a privilege to share our culture with the world,” Johnson said.
“But also the representation of our culture. It’s also a shared culture – there’s values in our Polynesian culture that are shared around the world.”
Disney’s Live-Action Moana comes out almost 10 years after the original Disney Moana film was released at the end of 2016.
Like the original, the film featured several New Zealand actors, including Frankie Adams, who plays Moana’s mother Sina; Rena Owen as Gramma Tala; John Tui as Moana’s father Chief Tui; and comedian Jemaine Clement, who lends his voice (and heavy Kiwi accent) to everybody’s favourite crab villain, Tamatoa.
Disney’s live-action Moana is out in cinemas this week.
Vaimoana Mase is the Pasifika editor for the Herald’s Talanoa section, sharing stories from the Pacific community. She won junior reporter of the year at the then Qantas Media Awards in 2010 and won the best opinion writing award at the 2023 Voyager Media Awards.