Thursday, March 28, 2024

Nicole Scherzinger on Being The ‘Backbone And the Glue’ in ‘Moana’ [EUR Exclusive]

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Auli’i Cravalho and Nicole Scherzinger attend the UK Gala screening of “MOANA” at BAFTA on November 20, 2016 in London, England. Image via ZIMBIO

*Multi-talented beauty Nicole Scherzinger voices Moana’s mother in Disney’s latest animated epic, which continues to dominate at the box office. The film is on track to bank over $200 million (in the US) against a $150 million budget.

Over the summer, Nicole expressed her excitement in landing the role by sharing a picture of her character beside Tui (voiced by Temuera Morrison) on Instagram, Nicole wrote: “One of my dreams has come true! Im a frikkin Disney character I’m so excited to announce that I will be playing Sina in @Disney’s #Moana In theatres from Nov 23rd! Cheehoo!”

EUR/Electronic Urban Report chatted with Scherzinger by phone recently about her “Moana,” character and why NOW is the perfect time for a Polynesian warrior princess.

Check out our Q&A with Nicole below.

How would you describe your character’s relationship with Moana?
Nicole: Moana’s mother is a lot like my mother, and my grandmother. She’s very strong-willed, but she’s playful still, tho. She’s obviously protective of Moana but at the same time, in the end she realizes that she has to really have faith and trust and let go and allow Moana to go figure out who she is meant to be. So she has a really great relationship with her daughter. She’s kind of the mediator between Tui the chief — my husband — and Moana. She’s the one that meets in the middle. The glue, as all women are usually in the family. The backbone and the glue.

What were your thoughts when you first saw the finished film?
Nicole: I was kinda speechless. Being of Hawaiian descent, I was like Oh my gosh, it looks like home! It’s crazy, the animation these days. The hair of Moana, the sand, the trees, the water… I was just really taken back by how funny the film was, how beautiful it was, and how cute it was, and then the story to me is like, magical. It’s like a dream come true. To see a whole Disney story, a rich Disney story depicted from where I’m from, the Polynesian Islands, in such a beautiful way, it makes me so proud.

READ RELATED STORY: ‘Moana’: A Beautiful Message About Ancestry That Honors Polynesian Tradition [EUR Exclusive]

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Why do you believe now is the perfect time for a strong, Polynesian Disney heroine?
Nicole: There’s no better time than ever. When I saw Moana, I had a private screening of it and it was the day after elections and I felt like the world was going through a lot of turmoil, and there wasn’t a lot of harmony. It’s more segregation, and I thought that Moana…it was such an amazing time for the film to come out. It’s a really positive message for people to really dig deep and look within, not only for themselves, but for their people. Moana didn’t do it for herself, she did it for her family, her people, her land. And it’s badass that she’s a little girl, which makes sense. Polynesian girls, we’re tough girls. Like I said, all the women in our family —- the men are the head of the household but the women are the backbone. So I think there’s no better time for this story to come out and teach such a positive message to really look within to find out who were are and what we’re meant to be, and to do something greater.. .something with purpose. We’re more than just ourselves.

 

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Nicole Scherzinger attend the UK Gala screening of “MOANA” at BAFTA on November 20, 2016 in London (Image via Zimbio)

What are some of the qualities Polynesian women are known for, and does Moana embody any of these qualities?
Nicole: Yeah, and I think it’s super cool because normally in Disney movies it’s about a love story and this is a heroine story. It’s always like a fairy tale princess — the perfect princess. Moana was me when I was younger. When I was a little girl, I would’ve looked up to her. She’s not just a princess, she a warrior princess. She’s a warrior first. Where I come from in Hawaii, we’ve always called ourselves Hawaiian warriors — fighters for what we believe in. Fighters for our land — fighters for everything. Moana is such a role model for young kids. She listens to her inner voice and she goes and she sets out to find out who she is meant to be, and she’s strong, and she’s resilient and she’s persistent and she’s scared as well, and it’s okay because in the end, she never ever gives up. She’s truly a warrior and a fighter and inspiration, and I love this story. We all have to find out who we are, what we’re meant for, what we’re made of — and sometimes, even when we grow up, we lose our way. It’s about finding our true selves again.

Nicole Scherzinger
Nicole Scherzinger attends The Fashion Awards 2016 on December 5, 2016 in London, United Kingdom.
Image via ZIMBIO

I know the filmmakers relied on a team they referred to as the Oceanic Brain Trust who provided research and various cultural elements that helped authenticate the film. Did you learn anything surprising about your culture either during production or while watching the movie?

Nicole: I think its interesting because I’m from the Hawaiian Islands, and this took place 2000 years ago, so it’s quite fascinating to realize how, ‘Wow, this is how my island was found and my people were found, and where we come from — from voyagers.’ But as far as the culture and the heart and music and the food and feeling and spirit, no.  I mean, that’s what I grew up around. That’s where I’m going home for Christmas. It’s beautiful to see the Hula depicted in that way, and the land and the people. It’s powerful.

I read a recent interview you gave in which you said, ‘I was a little brown girl who came from no money and nothing. I never had a means to get to Hollywood.’ What advice do you have for little brown girls trying to find their way?

Nicole: To listen to that inner voice. To listen to your heart, and to believe. And to have faith and not comprise yourself, and set out for what you know you’re destined for, and don’t take any less. Where there’s a will, there’s a way. Your work will speak for itself. It’s not going to be easy, but just keep working hard, and keep believing and don’t give up and you will get there.

For anyone who is from Hawaii, I was born on the west side, which is kind of the rough side, and I did come from very humble beginnings, but when you don’t have much money growing up, you don’t realize you’re poor. Honestly, I felt like God gave me a gift and he’s been my source and my reason ever since. He put a dream and vision in me and that’s all I’ve ever seen, and I’ve tried to never lose sight of that. Sometimes we need that reminder to keep the right people around you to stay grounded. Do not get lost in this industry and in this world, and in the wrong things. Stay focused and stay on track and you’ll get there.

“Moana” is now playing in theaters nationwide.

 

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