'Moana' star Auli'i Cravalho says the role saved her from living on food stamps

• Auli'i Cravalho told People she bought a house for her mom after her acting career flourished.
• Cravalho said that before filming "Moana" in 2016, her mother could only afford a one-bedroom apartment.
• Cravalho said that her mother is "happily retired" now.

Auli'i Cravalho described how voicing Moana, the breakout Disney princess, transformed her life and lifted her from poverty in Hawaii.

Cravalho shot to fame in 2016 after voicing the lead in "Moana," Disney's highest-grossing animated princess movie other than the "Frozen" titles.

She was 16 when it premiered — and told People that before the movie, she was living on food stamps.

"Moana" made $643 million globally in ticket sales, and the sequel, which launched over Thanksgiving, is looking to top that, grossing some $386 million in a few days.

Cravalho, now 24, said in the interview that before "Moana" she was living in a one-bedroom apartment in Mililani, north of Honolulu.

"I slept in the bedroom, my mom slept on the couch. She gave me everything," Cravalho said. They used food stamps to get by, she said.

"Moana" was a success and landed her the title role in its sequel. It also launched Cravalho into a TV and screen career that included a spot in the "Mean Girls" reboot.

It hasn't been reported how much Cravalho has earned from either "Moana" movies or the rest of her career. She said she used some of the proceeds to buy her mom a house.

"She's happily retired," Cravalho said. "Your parents give you so much. Kids feel a little indebted, I'm going to be honest! But we feel so grateful for our parents' sacrifices."

Last month, Cravalho told the "Podcrushed" podcast that she became the "breadwinner" for her family, which is often the case for child stars and former child stars.

This family includes her father, Dwayne — not her costar, Dwayne Johnson — who divorced Cravalho's mother, Puanani when she was a child.

Cravalho said during the interview that she delayed attending college, fearing she couldn't afford to take a break from acting.

"I'm a smidge worried about taking a break and doing all four years. I've budgeted it all out. I'd make it, but it would be close," Cravalho said. "I look forward to doing that in the next decade when I feel more secure."