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Why Disney’s Polynesian Princess Moana Won’t Have a Love Interest

She’s an independent woman! There won’t be a love interest for Moana, the titular character in Disney’s first-ever animated film about a Polynesian princess.

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During a Thursday, July 21, panel for the movie at San Diego’s Comic-Con, directors John Musker and Ron Clements (The Little Mermaid, Aladdin) explained why Moana, voiced by newcomer Auli’i Cravalho, won’t be searching for her own version of Prince Charming.

Asked what sets Moana apart from the Disney heroines before her, Musker was quick to point out that the character’s narrative is centered around finding herself, rather than falling in love with a potential suitor.

“There is no romance in the movie,” Musker said, according to the L.A. Times. Much like Frozen’s Elsa, who made her debut in 2013, Moana serves as her own hero and doesn’t need the companionship of a man to define her.

Disney released a teaser trailer for Moana on Sunday, June 12, treating fans to a thrilling first look at the spirited 16-year-old’s journey across the Pacific Ocean.

Moana
Moana

Related: PHOTOS: Stars Channeling Disney Princesses on the Red Carpet

“The whole idea of voyaging wasn’t in our initial story. And then we learned what a source of pride it was for [the people of the Pacific Islands], that they were the world’s first great navigators, using dead reckoning to find their way across the ocean,” Musker explained to MTV News last year. “We wanted to celebrate that.”

In the clip, we see Moana bravely embarking on a journey across land and sea — with her demigod bestie, Maui (voiced by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson), and pet pig Pua — to learn more about her ancestors’ past.

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Aside from celebrating girl power and the rich history of the South Pacific, the story of Moana is set to a stellar soundtrack, partially composed by Hamilton creator and star Lin-Manuel Miranda, who recently won the award for Best Original Score of a Musical at the 2016 Tony Awards on Sunday, June 12.

Watch the trailer above. Moana hits theaters on Wednesday, November 23, 2016.

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