Catherine Laga’aia Explains What Felt ‘Very Nerve-Wracking’ About Recording Moana‘s New Song

Laga’aia, who stars as Moana in the live-action Disney film, recorded “Along the Way” for the film alongside original stars Auli’i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson

Catherine Laga’aia had some jitters when recording Moana‘s new song in the live-action remake.

The 19-year-old actress tells PEOPLE at the movie’s Los Angeles premiere that she had some nerves before laying down her vocals for the song “Along the Way,” especially since she was the first one to do it.

“When I recorded [it], Auli’i [Cravalho] and Dwayne [Johnson] both hadn’t recorded it yet. So I was listening to the demo tracks in my ears,” Laga’aia says. “But the idea that they would hear me sing was very, very nerve-wracking, but also really, really exciting.”

Despite that, Laga’aia says that it was “really cool” to be memorialized alongside Cravalho, 25, and Johnson, 54, who originated the voices of Moana and Maui, respectively, in the original animated film.

“It means we get to be this together. We’re a part of this together and this is now going to be the three of our legacies that I get to join,” she says.

The 19-year-old was selected to star as Moana by the film’s director, Thomas Kail, who chose her out of “thousands of submissions.” He told PEOPLE earlier this month that he saw her transform into the character “about 10 seconds” after meeting her.

Laga’aia, who grew up watching the animated version and called it “a perfect movie,” said that she heeded everyone’s guidance about making the role her own.

“Everyone’s advice was just that it’s going to be something different,” she recalls.

“So there’s no way to match that. You have to do something different,” she continues. “Embracing that and stepping into that with as much ambition and imagination as you can was the best route for us making a live-action [remake].”

Still, the actress did have some help in that department with Cravalho revealing to PEOPLE that she sent the star an email letting her know “I’m here if you need me.” She continued, “‘But I also said, ‘This is entirely your own.’ ”

Cravalho, who is also an executive producer on the new film, said she was impressed with Laga‘aia’s “chutzpah” and confidence on set.

“To be able to stand next to Dwayne ‘the Rock’ Johnson on a canoe and feel cool as a cucumber? Catherine walked in with that kind of energy,” she said.

Moana sails into theaters July 10.

Via: People