When the live-action Moana trailer was released, fans were all asking the same question: why was actress Catherine Laga’aia wearing a wig? Her natural hair is a similar texture to the animated version of Moana, so it was seen as a strange move.
In an interview with Rolling Stone AU/NZ, director Thomas Kail said it came down to logistics. During the live-action film, Laga’aia’s character moves between being soaking wet and bone dry the entire time. Being able to swap wigs between looks meant the costume and hair department wouldn’t have to constantly reset the actor’s natural hair.
“We shot for 80 or 90 days and… it’s [43°C] real feel, [and] what this would do with the wear and tear and [going] in and out of tanks and out of water. Sometimes we’re doing three different scenes in a day that are from completely different parts of the film,” Kail explained.
“A lot of it’s about maintenance, and in the body of the film… Moana has 30 different looks for hair, and we really tried to make sure that the given circumstance, when she gets knocked around the ocean in the storm, it’s gonna look quite different than when she’s being presented in front of the village.”
In a world where the crew had to deal with many elements and moving parts, including CGI, Kail said it was a relief to have some semblance of control while filming.
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Laga’aia said she actually loved wearing a wig during Moana, and it helped her get into character. “The first time I put it on, I was like, this is so cool. I get to have hair down to my waist, like it’s kind of a new look for me.”
Not only did it smell really good (thanks to the hair department), but it was another tool for her to get into character. “Once I was in this wig, once I’m in this costume, then I really am Moana,” Laga’aia said. “I think it helped me kind of channel her and see myself a little bit differently through her. So maybe there were things that, you know, Catherine couldn’t do, but Moana could do.”
The Samoan-Australian star was only 17 when she was first cast as Moana, but has taken the success in her stride.
“It’s such an honour, especially so early on in my career, to get to represent where I come from and my heritage,” she said. “To do that so early and to be introduced to the world in a way that’s so attached to my culture and where I come from [is a] blessing.”
Moana will be released in Australian cinemas on July 8, 2026.
