Alessia Cara Wants to “Engrave” the Message of “Moana” Into “Little Kids’ Minds”

Disney/Mark AshmanDisney’s animated film Moana has been a major box office hit, but as Alessia Cara explains, it’s the movie’s message that made her want to be part of the movie’s soundtrack.

Alessia was invited to record “How Far I’ll Go,” written by Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda, for the film’s end credits.  The Canadian teen, whose latest hit “Scars to Your Beautiful” is an anthem of self-empowerment, feels the story of Moana can teach girls to feel empowered as well.  It’s about a teenage Polynesian princess who travels far from her home to save her people.

“I’m really excited to be a part of this movie,” Alessia tells ABC Radio. “I think just this storyline and the character of Moana herself — she just saves the day on her own.  And I think as a woman, that’s a very positive message to put out there, especially [to] engrave it in little kids’ minds! So I’m very, very happy to be a part of it.”

Alessia just received the Rule Breaker award at Billboard‘s Women in Music gala in New York City on Friday. 

“How Far I’ll Go” appears on the Moana soundtrack album, which so far has peaked at #5 on the Billboard album chart.

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