‘I know I can’: Pacific excellence strut the blue carpet at Moana Sydney premiere

Sydney’s Darling Harbour was transformed into a vibrant sea of Pacific colour in celebration of Disney’s live-action Moana ahead of its release next month.

Breaking away from traditional premieres with a stunning blue carpet, the event was all about honouring the Moana cultures showcased in the film.

Niu FM’s Gaby Solomona was on the ground catching up with the stars, cultural visionaries, and a stellar line-up of Pacific talent who turned out to support the historic moment.

At the heart of the night was 19-year-old newcomer Catherine Laga’aia, who represents the villages of Fa’ala Palauli in Savai'i and Leulumoegatu’ai Tuai in Upolu, Sāmoa.

Stepping into the iconic lead role as the sea-faring chieftainess, Laga’aia reflects on what the moment means to her.

“When I first saw Moana I didn’t think it could be me, but now I am standing here and I know I can," Laga’aia says.

Emmy and Tony Award winning director Thomas Kail (Hamilton) praises Laga’aia’s instant star quality.

"One of the things about Catherine that I felt immediately was there was a light in her eyes. She was both empathetic and brave at the same time,” Kail says.

“Caty has this depth and complexity to her that she could be hilarious one minute and also deeply feeling. You needed someone who could shift that quickly, she’s the real deal.”

The live-action adaptation reimagines Disney’s 2016 animated hit, produced by Seiuli Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.

Kail paid tribute to the likes of Tiana Nonosina Liufau, the choreographer and associate producer, assistant choreographer Kayla Faʻamaligi, and Tongan costume designer Liz McGregor for ensuring the movement remained truthful.

“Everything that you see on screen, a prop, a lashing, a fale, a costume…was vetted before it even got to me,” Kail explains. “I believe that through specificity you transcend and become universal.”

Niu FM radio host Gaby Solomona with 'Moana' live-action star, Catherine Laga'aia. Photo/@redeemervisuals

Black Ferns powerhouse Portia Woodman-Wickliffe - Seiuli’s favorite rugby player - shares how the story deeply resonates with her family, noting her daughter has watched it “at least a million times”.

“We love her [Moana],” she says. “I think what she represents, it’s our people, it’s our stories. I grew up with stories of Maui so to see it portrayed on a global stage like that is amazing.”

Fashion creator, reality star, and content creator Joe Fa’agase emphasised how special the Australian premiere was.

"I think it’s huge, especially for me growing up here there [were] never these types of things outside of seeing the islander rugby players," Fa’agase says. "So to see everybody here tonight in their beautiful vibrant ofu (clothes) and to see the cast, immaculate."

Tiana Nonosina Liufau is the creative director of the California-based Pasifika cultural dance collective, Nonosina Polynesia. Photo/@redeemervisuals

Hosted by Samoan-Australian broadcaster Sosefina Fuamoli, the evening opened with an extraordinary showcase of music.

Opetaia Foaʻi led with his daughter Olivia and band Te Vaka, was joined by the award-winning Signature Choir and Jaedyn Randell - the voice of Moana in the Reo Māori versions.

The crowd was treated to a surprise when Seiuli joined them on stage to sing You’re Welcome.

When asked on the carpet what Maui's WWE walkout song would be, Johnson laughed, "I’m a bad motherf*****’, I just made that song up.”

Addressing the audience, Seiuli says the decade-long has been worth it “taking Moana to the world”.

"This is a film that will go around the world on the biggest platform on the globe and that really means something,” he said.

Featuring a new original song, Along the Way, Disney’s live-action Moana lands in Australian and New Zealand cinemas on 8 July.