Learn How to Pronounce Auli'i Cravalho
(Listen to the audio above for the stress and intonation)
The Expert's Take
Meaning and Context
Auli'i Cravalho is an acclaimed American actress and singer who catapulted to international stardom after being cast as the voice of Moana in Disney's 2016 animated film Moana. Born in 2000, Cravalho's powerful vocal performance on songs like "How Far I'll Go," which earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song, cemented her status as a defining voice of a new generation in Disney animation. Following this breakthrough role, she has successfully expanded her career into live-action television and film, with notable roles in NBC's musical drama Rise, the Amazon Prime series The Power, and the 2024 live-action adaptation of Mean Girls. As a Native Hawaiian artist, Cravalho is also recognized for her advocacy for Indigenous representation in Hollywood and her continued work in both acting and music, marking her as a significant and influential figure in contemporary entertainment.
Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings
The name Auli'i Cravalho presents several common spelling and pronunciation challenges. The most frequent error is misspelling her first name by omitting the 'okina, or glottal stop, which is a crucial diacritical mark in the Hawaiian language; it is correctly written as Auli'i, not "Aulii" or "Auli". The apostrophe-like mark indicates a break between the two 'i's, affecting pronunciation (ah-oo-LEE-ee). Her surname, Cravalho, is often misspelled as "Carvalho," confusing it with the more common Portuguese surname. Other common typos include "Aulii Cravalho" (missing the 'okina), "Auli'i Carvalho" (missing the 'r'), and phonetic misspellings like "Aulie Cravalho." When writing, it is important to respect the correct Hawaiian orthography to ensure accuracy and cultural sensitivity.
Example Sentences
Auli'i Cravalho delivered a breathtaking performance of "How Far I'll Go" at the 2017 Academy Awards ceremony.
After her star-making role in Moana, Auli'i Cravalho chose to focus on her academic studies before carefully selecting subsequent projects like The Power.
In interviews, Auli'i Cravalho often speaks about the profound responsibility she feels representing Native Hawaiian culture on a global stage.
Fans were delighted when Auli'i Cravalho made a surprise cameo in the 2024 Mean Girls movie, showcasing her versatility as a performer.
The casting of Auli'i Cravalho as the voice of Moana is celebrated as a landmark moment for authentic Pacific Islander representation in animation.
Sources and References
I used Wikipedia, Forvo, and YouGlish to master this name, but I also watched her Disney casting video and interviews where she specifically explains the Hawaiian pronunciation and the importance of the 'okina.
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auli%27i_Cravalho
- https://forvo.com/word/auli%27i_cravalho/
- https://youglish.com/pronounce/auli%27i_cravalho/english
Related Pronunciations
- How to pronounce Rachel McAdams
- How to pronounce Peter O'Toole
- How to pronounce Pete Holmes
- How to pronounce Pierce Brosnan
- How to pronounce William Shatner