Catherine Laga’aia is an Australian actress best known for playing the title role in Disney’s live action Moana. She was born in Sydney and grew up in a large, creative family with deep Samoan roots. Her father, Jay Laga’aia, spent decades acting on stage and screen before her.
Now fans want to know her age, height, family, and net worth. This guide covers everything confirmed about Catherine Laga’aia, her rise to fame, and what comes next in her acting career.
Who Is Catherine Laga’aia?
Catherine Laga’aia is a Samoan Australian actress who plays Moana in Disney’s 2026 live action film. She goes by the nickname Katie and grew up in Sydney’s inner west. Her path to fame started small, with local theater and a handful of screen credits, before Disney picked her from a massive open casting call.
What makes her story stand out is how ordinary it started. She was not a child star with a long resume. She was a teenager from a big Sydney family who happened to grow up around acting because of her father. That background gave her comfort on set, even though Moana marked her first major film role. Her casting turned her into one of the most searched young actresses in the world almost overnight.
Catherine Laga’aia Quick Bio
Here is a quick snapshot of Catherine Laga’aia’s biography, including her age, height, and family details.
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Catherine “Katie” Laga’aia |
| Date of Birth | December 17, 2006 |
| Age in 2026 | 19 years old |
| Birthplace | Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Heritage | Samoan and English |
| Height | Reportedly around 5 feet 2 inches |
| Weight | Not publicly disclosed |
| Father | Jay Laga’aia |
| Mother | Sandra Jane |
| Siblings | Seven, she is one of eight children |
| Relationship Status | not in any public relationship. |
| Children | Not publicly disclosed |
| Profession | Actress |
| Years Active | 2023 to present |
| Known For | Moana, The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart, Crashout |
| Net Worth | Estimated, not officially disclosed |
| Social Media |
Catherine Laga’aia Age: How Old Is She in 2026?
Catherine Laga’aia is 19 years old in 2026. She was born on December 17, 2006, in Sydney, Australia. She was just 17 when Disney announced her casting as Moana back in June 2024.
That timing matters. Moana, the character, is a teenager finding her place in the world. Casting an actress close to that same age gave the role a layer of honesty that older actresses could not match. By the time the film hit theaters on July 10, 2026, Catherine Laga’aia had just turned 19, close in age to the character she plays on screen.
Early Life and Family Background
Catherine Laga’aia was born in Sydney into a large, tight knit family. She is one of eight children, and her home was always full of music, performance, and Samoan pride. Her grandparents trace back to the islands of Savai’i and Upolu in Samoa, giving her a direct connection to Polynesian culture that later shaped how audiences saw her casting as Moana.
Growing up, acting was not treated as a distant dream in her house. It was the family business. Several of her siblings have also pursued performing arts, which made rehearsing lines and watching auditions a normal part of daily life. She reportedly attended Newtown High School of the Performing Arts, a school known for producing young talent in Sydney’s creative scene.
Her Samoan heritage plays a big role in her public story. Fans and critics alike have pointed to her casting as a meaningful moment for Pacific Islander representation in a major Disney film, since the original animated Moana drew heavily from Polynesian culture and myth.
Who Is Her Father Jay Laga’aia?
Jay Laga’aia is a veteran New Zealand Australian actor and singer, and he is Catherine Laga’aia’s father. He has worked in film, television, and theater for decades, building a career long before his daughter picked up her first script.
He is widely recognized for playing Captain Typho in Star Wars Episode II and Star Wars Episode III, small but memorable roles in one of the biggest franchises in film history. Australian audiences also know him from Play School, Water Rats, and Home and Away, along with stage work in productions like The Lion King. His long run on children’s television earned him a loyal following that stretched across generations.
That family legacy shaped Catherine directly. She did not just watch her father act from a distance. She grew up around scripts, callbacks, and the rhythm of a working actor’s life. Some entertainment writers have called her a nepo baby because of this, but Catherine has pushed back on that label, pointing to the open casting call and thousands of auditions she went through to actually land the role.
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Catherine Laga’aia Career
Catherine Laga’aia’s acting career began quietly before exploding into the spotlight with Moana. Her early credits were small, but they gave her real set experience before she stepped into a lead role watched by millions.
The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart, 2023
Her first notable screen credit came in The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart, an Australian drama series. This project gave her early exposure to professional set life and helped her build the confidence she later needed for a much bigger stage. It was a small credit on paper, but it mattered. It showed casting directors that she could handle real dramatic work, not just auditions.
Disney’s Live Action Moana, 2026
Catherine Laga’aia’s biggest break came when Disney cast her as Moana in its live action remake, set for theatrical release on July 10, 2026. She beat out more than 32,000 applicants from around the world in an open global casting call, a number that shows just how competitive the search for a new Moana actually was.
The film is directed by Thomas Kail and stars Dwayne Johnson, who returns as Maui from the original animated films. Auli’i Cravalho, who voiced Moana in the 2016 animated movie and its 2024 sequel Moana 2, stepped into an executive producer role and publicly supported giving a new young Pacific Islander actress the chance to lead. Catherine Laga’aia also performs the film’s signature song, How Far I’ll Go, connecting her directly to the soundtrack that made the original story famous.
Director Thomas Kail has spoken about spotting her talent early. He said he could tell she had something special from her very first audition tape, filmed when she was just 16 years old. That kind of natural screen presence is hard to teach, and it is a big reason Disney trusted a newcomer with one of its most beloved characters.
Crashout, Upcoming
Catherine Laga’aia has also been cast in Crashout, an upcoming Australian thriller directed by Nick Annas. Details about the plot and release date remain limited, but the project shows she is not planning to rely on Moana alone. Landing a thriller role right after a massive Disney film suggests she wants range in her career, not just one type of part.
Catherine Laga’aia Height and Physical Appearance
Catherine Laga’aia’s height is reportedly around 5 feet 6 inches, though this figure has not been confirmed through an official source. Her build fits the physical demands of an adventure film like Moana, which required swimming, boat scenes, and physically active sequences on set.
Beyond height, she has a warm, expressive screen presence that critics have noted fits the character of Moana closely. Her natural look, paired with her Samoan heritage, matched the visual identity Disney wanted for a live action version of the story.
Catherine Laga’aia on Social Media
Catherine Laga’aia is active on Instagram, where she shares glimpses of her acting career, family life, and behind the scenes moments from Moana. Her follower count has grown quickly since her casting was announced, though exact numbers shift often and should be treated as a moving target rather than a fixed fact.
Her social media presence gives fans a more personal look at her life outside of scripted roles. She reportedly uses the platform to thank fans, share promotional content for her films, and post family moments, keeping her online presence grounded rather than overly polished.
Personal Life
Catherine Laga’aia keeps her personal life fairly private. Her relationship status has not been publicly disclosed, which is common for young actresses stepping into their first major spotlight. She has not shared details about children, and there is no verified information suggesting she has any.
What is known is that family remains central to her life. She often speaks about her Samoan roots and her large household with pride, rather than treating it as a private matter she wants hidden. That balance, public about heritage but private about romance, seems intentional as she builds her public image.
Catherine Laga’aia Net Worth, No Official or Verified Public Figure
Catherine Laga’aia’s net worth has not been officially disclosed anywhere, and no verified public figure currently exists for her earnings. Any number circulating online should be treated as an estimate at best.
That said, a few factors likely shape her current income. Landing the lead role in a major Disney theatrical release almost always comes with a significant salary, along with promotional appearances and potential brand deals tied to the film’s release. Her earlier television and streaming credits, while smaller, also added to her income before Moana. Until she or her team shares confirmed figures, treat any specific dollar amount you see as a rough guess, not a fact.
Catherine Laga’aia Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2023 | The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart | Young Candy | Early television credit, Australian drama series |
| 2026 | Moana | Moana | Disney live action theatrical film, lead role |
| Upcoming | Crashout | Not yet confirmed | Australian thriller, directed by Nick Annas |
Fast Facts About Catherine Laga’aia
- She was born on December 17, 2006, in Sydney, Australia.
- She is one of eight children in her family.
- Her father, Jay Laga’aia, played Captain Typho in the Star Wars prequels.
- She beat over 32,000 applicants to land the role of Moana.
- She was just 17 when Disney cast her in the lead role.
- Her grandparents trace their roots to Savai’i and Upolu in Samoa.
- She performs the song How Far I’ll Go in the new film.
- Auli’i Cravalho, the original voice of Moana, served as an executive producer on the remake.
- She attended Newtown High School of the Performing Arts in Sydney.
- Her next project, Crashout, is an Australian thriller.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Catherine Laga’aia?
She was born on December 17, 2006, making her 19 years old in 2026.
Who is Catherine Laga’aia’s father?
Her father is Jay Laga’aia, a New Zealand Australian actor known for Star Wars and Play School.
What is Catherine Laga’aia’s height?
She is reportedly around 5 feet 6 inches tall, though this has not been officially confirmed.
Who does Catherine Laga’aia play in the Moana live action film?
She plays the title role of Moana in Disney’s 2026 live action remake.
How was Catherine Laga’aia cast as Moana?
She was selected through a global open casting call that drew more than 32,000 applicants.
Conclusion
Catherine Laga’aia went from a Sydney teenager with a famous last name to the lead of one of Disney’s biggest live action films in years. Her age, family background, and Samoan heritage all shaped a casting story that resonated far beyond the movie itself. With Crashout on the horizon, her acting career is only just getting started, and audiences will likely be hearing her name for years to come.
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