Disney's highly anticipated live-action adaptation of Moana has encountered significant backlash following the release of its first trailer, with fans expressing disappointment over changes to the protagonist's iconic hair.
Controversy Over Character Representation
The criticism centres on the appearance of actress Catherine Laga'aia, who plays the titular role in the film scheduled for release in November 2025. While the original animated Moana, voiced by Auli'i Cravalho in the 2016 version, featured naturally curly hair that became emblematic of the character, the live-action portrayal appears to show Laga'aia with straightened or chemically relaxed hair.
This styling choice has particularly frustrated fans given that Laga'aia herself possesses naturally curly hair similar to the animated character. The casting announcement had initially generated excitement precisely because the actress's natural hair texture aligned with Moana's distinctive look.
Social Media Reaction Goes Viral
The controversy gained momentum across social media platforms following the trailer's release on November 17, 2025. One viral tweet captured the general sentiment: "The straightened hair? They played..." while another user questioned "Like... Her natural hair was definitely fine for Moana."
Many fans highlighted the irony that Disney Animation had previously developed new technology specifically to accurately simulate Moana's curls in the original film. One social media user pointedly noted: "the fact that disney animation developed a new engine to better simulate moana's curls and accurately portray her hair texture, just for the live action to remove said hair texture."
Broader Context of Disney Remakes
This controversy emerges amid Disney's ongoing series of live-action adaptations, which have included The Little Mermaid, Lilo & Stitch, and Snow White. These remakes have consistently generated mixed responses from dedicated fans of the original animated classics.
The current situation echoes previous debates about representation in Disney's live-action films. Notably, Halle Bailey's portrayal of Ariel in The Little Mermaid was praised for maintaining the character's locs, making the decision regarding Moana's hair particularly puzzling to many observers.
As the discourse continues to develop across social media platforms, Disney has yet to address the criticism or clarify whether Moana's straightened hair will feature throughout the entire film. The studio's silence has only intensified fan speculation and disappointment regarding this significant departure from the beloved character's original appearance.
