Lin-Manuel Miranda defends Moana 2 songwriters against criticism over divisive soundtrack

Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Lin-Manuel Miranda has said he is “thrilled” by the success of Moana 2 after he was replaced as songwriter for the sequel by duo Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear. Variety’s Owen Gleiberman wrote: “The songs in Moana 2, by Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, are perky and appealing, with that electrified island drum bounce, but most of them sound like the imitation-Lin-Manual knockoffs they are.” Speaking to The Independent, Miranda, 44, recalled meeting the two songwriters when the project was still planned as a Disney+ show, saying: “I had lots of meetings with them, and I gave them advice, and I sent them Sondheim books.” He also encouraged them to work with Samoan composer and Moana soundtrack collaborator Opetaia Foa’i, telling them: “Soak up everything Opetaia has to tell you, because everything that comes out of him represents Pasifika culture so beautifully.” Lin-Manuel Miranda speaking to The Independent at the press junket for ‘Mufasa: The Lion King’ at San Diego Safari Park Miranda went on to praise star Auliʻi Cravalho, now 24, who was originally cast to provide the voice of Moana a decade ago. The stuff they've given her to sing, that song ‘Beyond’, that's a hard song, and she sings it so thrillingly.” Referencing “How Far I’ll Go,” his Oscar-nominated song from the original Moana, Miranda added: “I see it from the lens of, like, how far she's come. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Miranda was speaking at the press junket for Mufasa: The Lion King, Disney’s next musical release for which he has written seven original songs.