Moana has a grandmother named Gramma Tala.
Tala is Moana’s paternal grandmother in Disney’s 2016 animated film Moana. She is the mother of Moana’s father, Chief Tui, and shares Moana’s deep connection to the ocean. Their relationship is central to the story because Tala encourages Moana’s curiosity even when Tui tries to keep her safely inside the reef.
Tala helps preserve Motunui’s forgotten history. She reveals a hidden cavern filled with voyaging canoes and explains that Moana’s ancestors were skilled wayfinders who stopped sailing after the heart of Te Fiti was stolen. This discovery gives Moana the knowledge and confidence to begin her mission.
After Tala dies, she continues to guide Moana in spirit, appearing as a luminous manta ray. The character’s nickname, “Gramma Tala,” is an affectionate form of address rather than a separate character. Tala is voiced by Rachel House, while Moana is voiced by Auliʻi Cravalho.