Drew Afualo out here doing the lord ’s work .
1.Auli’i Cravalho
Born in Hawai’i, Auli’i is of Native Hawaiian, Puerto Rican, Portuguese, Chinese, and Irish heritage. After making her acting debut as the voice ofMoana, she’s reprising her role in the upcoming sequel — which I can’t wait to see! — and will serve as an executive producer on the live-action remake. She also portrayed Janis in theMean Girlsmusical filmearlier this year.
2.Drew Afualo
If you don’t know Drew, you’re missing out! The Samoan TikTok star first gained fame by calling out misogynists on social media, all with her iconic laugh and great sense of humor. She’s the host ofThe Comment Section with Drew Afualopodcast and has hosted red-carpet events like the Oscars and theBlack Adampremiere. Her first book,Loud, comes out this summer, and I’ve already preordered it!
3.Kamalei Kawa’a
This year, the Native Hawaiian singer made it to the playoff rounds ofThe Voice,where he wowed the judges and audience by bringing his culture to every performance. During theaudition, judge Chance the Rapper commended Kamalei for representing Pacific Islanders, calling it “really important to have on the show.”
4.Cliff Curtis
The Māori actor is known for powerful New Zealand films likeOnce Were WarriorsandThe Dark Horse,as well as his long Hollywood career. He’s been in tons of hits, includingLive Free or Die Hard,Fear the Walking Dead, andHobbs & Shaw.Cliff played Tonowari, the chief of the Metkayina clan, inAvatar: The Way of Waterand will appear inAvatar 3.
5.Eliana Su’a
Eliana is of Samoan, Mexican, and Argentine heritage. She currently stars in the Disney Channel showPretty Freekin Scary,and she’s appeared in other projects like9-1-1andHobbs & Shaw.
6.Keanu Reeves
Of Native Hawaiian, Chinese, English, Irish, and Portuguese descent, the actor is one of the biggest names in Hollywood. He’s starred in huge franchises likeThe MatrixandJohn Wickas well popular films likeSpeedandThe Lake House. Keanu is also beloved by the internet; I don’t know a single person who dislikes this man!
7.Simone Kessell
Born in New Zealand, the actor is of Māori and European descent. She’s been in a bunch of shows includingTerra Nova, Of Kings and Prophets,andThe Crossing,and she’s absolutely killing it right now as Adult Lottie inYellowjackets.
8.Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson
Dwayne is Samoan on his mother’s side and Black on his father’s. After gaining fame as a WWE wrestler, he became the Hollywood star we know and love today. He’s been in everything from theFast and Furiousfranchise to theJumanjimovies toMoana(he’ll be reprising his role as Maui in the live-action remake!). And last year, he became the first Samoan to play a superhero withBlack Adam.
9.Iam Tongi
Of Tongan, Samoan, and Irish descent, the singer was born and raised in Hawai’i. Last year, he became thefirstPacific Islander to winAmerican Idolaftercapturing the heartsof viewers across the country with his touching story and incredible voice.
10.Jason Momoa
Born in Hawai’i, Jason is Native Hawaiian on his father’s side and German, Irish, and Pawnee on his mother’s. After the world fell in love with him inGame of Thrones, he went on to star inFrontier,See, and theAquamanmovies. He was a fan favorite in the most recentFast and Furiousfilm, and I’m stoked for his upcoming show,Chief of War.
11.Frankie Adams
The Samoan actress got her start on the popular New Zealand soap opera,Shortland Street. Since then, she’s appeared in projects likeThe Expanse, The Panthers, andThe Lost Flowers of Alice Hart.
12.Kaimana
The actor is of Māori, Samoan, Native Hawaiian, Tongan, Tahitian, Japanese, Irish, Scottish, and English descent, but she usually just refers to herself as Polynesian. Last year, Kaimana made her acting debut in Taika Waititi’sNext Goal Wins, where she absolutely stole the show! I can’t wait to see what she’ll do next.
13.Courtney Eaton
Born in Australia, the actor is of Māori, Cook Islander, Chinese, and English heritage. You can find her inMad Max: Fury RoadandGods of Egypt,but her portrayal of Teen Lottie inYellowjacketsis definitely my favorite performance so far.
14.Parris Goebel
Born in New Zealand, the dance powerhouse and model is Samoan on her mother’s side and white on her father’s. She’s worked with artists like Jennifer Lopez, SZA, and Shakira, as well as choreographed music videos for Justin Bieber, Sam Smith, and Ciara. She won an Emmy for her work on “Savage X Fenty Show Vol. 3” and choreographed Rihanna’s iconic Super Bowl performance last year!
15.Dinah Jane
The singer is mainly Tongan, with some Samoan, Fijian, and Danish heritage. While competing onThe X Factorin 2012, she joined four other contestants to form a girl group that would go on to become the wildly popular Fifth Harmony. When the group partnered with Barbie and a doll was made of each member, Dinah inspired thefirst modern Polynesian Barbie. Now focused on her solo career, she drops new music on Friday inspired by her Polynesian heritage, and I will absolutely be streaming at midnight.
16.KJ Apa
The New Zealand-born actor is of Samoan and European heritage, and he received hismatai (chief) titlea few years ago. He became a household name by playing Archie Andrews onRiverdale, but you can also find him inThe Hate U GiveandI Still Believe. And did you know that KJ is a talented musician? In 2021, he released an indie folk-rock album calledClocks.
17.Alex Tarrant
The New Zealand-born actor is of Māori, Samoan, and Niuean heritage. Alex enjoyed leading roles inWhen We Go to War,Shortland Street, andNight Raidersbefore starring inNCIS: Hawaiʻi.Currently, he plays Valandil inThe Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.Thetrailerfor the second season just dropped, and it looks awesome!
18.Sasha Colby
Born and raised in Hawai’i, Sasha is Native Hawaiian and Irish. In 2012, she won the Miss Continental competition, and last year, she won Season 15 ofRuPaul’s Drag Race— the first Pacific Islander to take the crown!
19.Jemaine Clement
The New Zealand-born actor is of Māori and European descent. He was sooo funny inFlight of the Conchords! Jemaine joined Taika Waititi as an actor, writer, and director inWhat We Do in the Shadows. Jemaine has done tons of voice work for animated movies, includingDespicable Me,Rio,Moana, andThe Lego Batman Movie. He’s also been in hits likeMen in Black 3andAvatar: The Way of Water.
20.Rose Matafeo
Born in New Zealand, Rose is Samoan on her father’s side and Croatian and Scottish on her mother’s. This woman can do it all — she’s an actor, writer, comedian, director, and podcast host. You can find her stand-up special,Horndog, and comedy series,Starstruck, on Max.
21.Keisha Castle-Hughes
Born in Australia and raised in New Zealand, the actor is Māori on her mother’s side and white on her father’s. I absolutely LOVED her inWhale Rider(one of my all-time favorite movies). Since then, she’s been inThe Nativity Story,Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith,andGame of Thrones. Currently, she’s playing Hana inFBI: Most Wanted.
22.Oscar Kightley
Born in Samoa and raised in New Zealand, the actor played Albert in the iconicSione’s Wedding(my favorite Pacific Islander comedy of all time!). Last year, he portrayed the head of American Samoa soccer inNext Goal Wins.
23.Nicole Scherzinger
Born in Hawai’i, Nicole is of Native Hawaiian, Filipino, and Ukrainian descent. You probably know her from the Pussycat Dolls/her solo music career, but she’s also been onDancing with the Starsand served as a judge/panelist onThe X Factor,Australia’s Got Talent,andThe Masked Singer.Last year, she starred as Norma Desmond inSunset Boulevardon the West End, and she’ll make her Broadway debut in October.
24.Alex Aiono
Alex is Samoan and Māori on his father’s side and white on his mother’s. After gaining a massive following on YouTube for his music, he landed a starring role inFinding Ohana. He played Walter inDoogie Kameāloha, M.D.and currently portrays Shawn inPretty Little Liars: Original Sin.
25.Uli Latukefu
The Tongan actor was born and raised in Australia. Perhaps best known for portraying Dwayne Johnson inYoung Rock, he also appeared inMarco Polo, Doctor Doctor, andBlack Adam. Most recently, he played Nicky Salapu inNext Goal Wins,and you can see him inMaXXXinelater this year.
26.Kaliko Kauahi
Born in Hawaiʻi, the actor is of Native Hawaiian and Japanese heritage. You probably know her as Sandra inSuperstore, but she’s also appeared inParks and Recreation,The Big Bang Theory, andRaven’s Home.
27.Temuera Morrison
Born in New Zealand, the actor is of Māori, Scottish, and Irish heritage. He’s been in tons of stuff, likeStar Warsfilms,Once Were Warriors, and theAquamanmovies. He famously returned to theStar Warsfranchise as the iconic Boba Fett (the son of his character Jango Fett from the prequels) inThe Mandalorianand even got his own spin-off,The Book of Boba Fett.
28.Rachel House
The New Zealand-born actor is of Māori and European descent. She’s a frequent collaborator of Taika Waititi and has been in plenty of NZ films likeWhale RiderandBoy, as well as Hollywood films likeThor: Ragnarok.Rachel has voiced multiple animated characters including Terry in Disney/Pixar’sSouland Gramma Tala inMoana. And her directorial debut,The Mountain, premieres later this year!
29.Kelly Hu
Born in Hawai’i, the actor is of Native Hawaiian, Chinese, and English heritage. After winning Miss Teen USA 1985 and Miss Hawaii USA 1993, she landed roles inThe Scorpion Kingand theX-MenmovieX2. Kelly appeared in teen shows likeThe Vampire DiariesandThe 100, voiced Stacy inPhineas and Ferb,and is perhaps best known for playing Admiral Ozawa inThe Orville.According toIMDb, she’ll be reprising her role as Lady Deathstrike in the upcomingDeadpool & Wolverine.
30.Mainei Kinimaka
Born in Hawai’i, the Native Hawaiian actor was a famous surfer before turning to acting. Mainei has appeared inSee,The Last Manhunt, andKapō. Currently, she’s working on Jason Momoa’s upcoming show,Chief of War.
31.Cooper Andrews
On his father’s side, the actor is Samoan, and on his mother’s, he’s Hungarian-Jewish. Best known for playing Jerry onThe Walking Dead, Cooper was also inHalt and Catch Fireand theShazam!movies.
32.Manu Bennett
Born in New Zealand and raised in Australia, the actor is of Māori, Irish, and Scottish descent. I loved his portrayal of Crixus inSpartacus,but he was also great inArrowand theHobbitmovies.
33.Stacey Leilua
Born in New Zealand, the actor is of Samoan, Māori, and European descent. She started out in theater and produced a Pacific Islander musical before doing shows in New York City. From 2021 to 2023, she played Ata Johnson (Dwayne Johnson’s mom) inYoung Rock.
34.John Tui
The Tongan actor was born in New Zealand. After a role inSione’s Wedding, he appeared in the finalHobbitmovie,Solo: A Star Wars Story, andHobbs & Shaw. He also played Afa Anoa’i inYoung Rock.
35.And finally, Taika Waititi
Born in New Zealand, Taika is Māori on his father’s side and Russian Jewish on his mother’s. Is there anything this man can’t do? He wrote, directed, and starred inWhat We Do in the ShadowsandJojo Rabbit, the latter making him the first Māori filmmaker towin an Oscarfor Best Adapted Screenplay. He directed several of Marvel’sThormovies, an episode ofThe Mandalorian, andNext Goal Wins, the heartwarming film based on the true story of the American Samoan soccer team. Currently, he’s directing a dystopian sci-fi film,Klara and the Sun,that I’m super excited about. Plus,Hunt for the Wilderpeopleis a masterpiece! Do yourself a favor and watch it if you’re ever in need of a laugh.
Drew Afualo out here doing the lord’s work.
