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Olivia Foa'i is a New Zealand-born singer, songwriter, dancer, choreographer and director (Tokelauan, Tuvaluan and British heritage) best known as the lead female singer/dancer for multi award-winning Polynesian band, Te Vaka and for her vocals on Disney's "Moana" soundtrack (Tulou Tagaloa, Logo Te Pate, Know Who You Are...).
In 2019 she released her debut solo album "Candid" to glowing reviews and collected accolades such as "Best Pacific Album" in the New Zealand Music Awards and "Best Female Artist" in the Pacific Music Awards 2020. “Here Olivia steps forward with a charming and classy album which places her eight originals part way between contemporary r'n'b-influenced pop (ballads, beats) and the engaging pan-Pacific sound of Te Vaka (chiming acoustic guitar, log drums).” –Graham Reid (Elswhere) “‘Candid’ by Olivia Foa’i mixes pop, RnB and her own infused South Pacific influences in a way that melds the genres together somehow seamlessly, providing a great example of how to combine raw, tribal rhythms with contemporary production techniques.” -Nefertiti Teare(NZ Musician She has had a lifelong career as a dancer (first live concert appearance at age 2) and, shortly after, a vocalist; both on stage and in studio. Her live performance credits span 40 countries and include such prestigious events/venues as The World Premiere of Disney's Moana at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, The 2015 Disney D23 Expo, The Byron Bay Blues Festival, The Beijing Olympics, The London Olympics and The Rugby World Cup in Paris. She choreographs Contemporary Polynesian dance for Te Vaka as well as for her own projects. Watch her video to Lukitau from the Te Vaka Beats album HERE. Olivia also choreographed, directed and starred in Te Vaka's music video "Lakalaka", released through Walt Disney Records in 2017 - this undertaking spurred the beginning of her career as a Director. In 2020 Olivia and brother Matatia Foa'i (screenwriter, composer, actor) completed their first 30min film "Stuntbot" collecting multiple awards on the short film circuit. |
Olivia performed alongside father, Opetaia, at the NZ Music Awards 2017
Olivia wins "Best Pacific Language Award" at the 2017 VPMA's
On the "Blue Carpet" at the World Premiere of Moana
With Dwayne Johnson at Disney's
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