In previous interviews, the speaker shared how growing up as a mixed Samoan woman in California, distant from most of her family, influenced her confidence. As a fellow mixed Samoan woman with a similar upbringing, the curiosity arose about where she found the confidence to write and direct these movies. The familiar sentiment of "I'm not Samoan enough" was often on her mind.

Uncovering the Journey of a Mixed Samoan Woman's Confidence

Section 1: The Disconnect

Half of the speaker's dad's family lived in Northern California while she was in Southern California or back in Samoa, creating a significant disconnect. This was partly due to her dad and his own identity issues during her growing up years. As a result, she felt a lot of insecurity about her Samoan identity. She was always proud of being Samoan but often added caveats to make others feel better and herself too. She even carried a picture of her grandparents when she was young as if it were proof.

This sense of insecurity was deeply ingrained. It was a part of her identity that she struggled with for a long time. She would constantly question if she was "Samoan enough" and would try to explain or justify her identity to others.

However, she realized that this constant need to prove herself was not healthy. It was a burden she was carrying around with her.

Section 2: The Moana Project

Getting the job on the Moana live-action was a mixed experience for her. Her first thought was, "Am I Samoan enough? Will our community be upset? Will they think I'm not capable?" The excitement of being part of telling Moana's story was overshadowed by these insecurities.

But it was a process of taking ownership. She started to realize that she didn't need to explain or justify her Samoan identity to anyone. She could just be proud of who she was.

Over time, through various experiences like starting PEAK and working with Pacific Islanders in a writers room, she began to feel a part of a bigger community. This community accepted her for who she was, and she gained more confidence in taking ownership of her identity.

Section 3: The Journey of Growth

It has been a two-year journey for her to fully embrace her Samoan identity. It is still a work in progress, but she has come a long way.

She took chances that she wasn't ready for, like taking the job on the live-action film despite her insecurities. These experiences have shaped her and made her more confident in who she is.

Now, she is proud to be Samoan and no longer feels the need to qualify herself. She has found her place within the Pacific Islander community and is confident in sharing her story.