Two Moanas' Musical Journey
Live-Action Moana Debuts Unique Song "Along the Way" Featuring Two Moanas and Maui
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Key Points
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Dwayne Johnson promoted the track with specific wording on X, writing: “Droppin' our new song 'Along The Way' from live-action MOANA,” and describing it as “Cool musical conversation” between Auliʻi Cravalho and Catherine Lagaʻaia, with “Maui” joining the exchange.
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In a featurette, director Thomas Kail said the team “really wanted to do something that could be distinct to this film,” leading to the decision to have both Moanas sing together. Catherine Lagaʻaia added that the song is “the perfect symbolism” for their journeys “colliding,” while Lin-Manuel Miranda explained the idea of “a musical conversation between Auliʻi’s Moana and [Catherine’s] Moana.”
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Beyond Miranda and Mark Mancina, the Moana Original Soundtrack also includes “new versions of the original songs” by Opetaia Foaʻi (listed alongside Miranda and Mancina as contributing to the soundtrack’s reinterpretations).
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For the companion project “Moana: Voices Across the Ocean,” the 15-track album is performed by Pacific artists representing seven islands and cultures, including Dinah Jane, Stan Walker, Iam Tongi, Paula Fuga, Maoli, and Common Kings.
Disney dropped "Along the Way" on June 15, the first original song from its live-action Moana film hitting theaters July 10. Deadline reported the track was written by Lin-Manuel Miranda and features Catherine Laga'aia, Dwayne Johnson, and Auli'i Cravalho — making it the first time both Moanas have sung together.
Johnson promoted the release on X, describing it as a "cool musical conversation between Auliʻi and Catherine, with 'Maui' joining the exchange." The song is already streaming on all major platforms, with the full soundtrack to follow on June 26.
Two Moanas Sing Together for the First Time
Director Thomas Kail said his team "really wanted to do something that could be distinct to this film." The answer was putting both Moanas on the same track. Cravalho voiced the original 2016 animated Moana. Laga'aia, 17, plays Moana in the new live-action version. Their duet is a first for any Disney remake.
Miranda described the song as "a musical conversation between Auliʻi's Moana and [Catherine's] Moana." Laga'aia called it "the perfect symbolism" for their two journeys "colliding." Geek Culture noted that Miranda praised the blend of both actresses' vocals and said writing for Johnson was a particular highlight.
Soundtrack Rolls Out in Three Separate Waves
The music release is spread across three drops. The Moana Original Soundtrack arrives June 26 with 18 tracks. A deluxe edition follows July 8, adding Mark Mancina's score and instrumentals. Both include new versions of the original songs, with Opetaia Foaʻi credited alongside Miranda and Mancina.
A third project, "Moana: Voices Across the Ocean," releases July 31. The 15-track companion album features Pacific artists from seven islands and cultures, including Dinah Jane, Stan Walker, Iam Tongi, Paula Fuga, Maoli, and Common Kings. It is separate from the film's main soundtrack.
Miranda Returns After Sitting Out Moana 2
Miranda wrote all the original songs for the 2016 Moana, including the Oscar-nominated "How Far I'll Go." He did not contribute to Moana 2, the animated sequel that released in November 2024. His return for the live-action version is a notable shift. The 2016 film grossed $643 million worldwide and became one of Disney+'s most-streamed titles.
Director Kail also has deep ties to Miranda — he directed the original Broadway run of Hamilton. Their reunion on this project adds a layer of creative continuity. Johnson, who also serves as a producer, used his social media platform to amplify the song's release, reaching an estimated 20 million views on X within six hours of posting.
Pacific Artists Get a Global Stage Through Disney
The "Voices Across the Ocean" album signals a shift in how Disney handles cultural representation. Rather than relying solely on Hollywood talent, the project gives Pacific Island artists — from seven distinct cultures — access to a global platform. Artists like Common Kings and Paula Fuga have said the project lets them bring their "true sounds" to wider audiences.
Industry analysts see the early song release as a calculated move. By dropping "Along the Way" nearly a month before the July 10 premiere, Disney is betting the track's "meta" angle — two Moanas, one song — can cut through what some critics call "remake fatigue." Early tracking projects a domestic opening weekend of $115M to $135M.
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