When Auli’i Cravalho was cast in the highly acclaimed Disney film “Moana,” her life took an extraordinary turn. At that time, she and her mom were facing financial hardships and living on food stamps. The young actress, who voiced the beloved titular character's daughter, shared in a recent “People” interview how they were squeezed into a one-bedroom apartment in Mililani, Hawaii.

Hardship and Family Support

Cravalho, just 14 years old when she got the big break, explained that she slept in the bedroom while her mom slept on the couch. Her parents, who had divorced earlier, tried their best to keep her grounded. They warned her that there was no guarantee that “Moana” would become a hit. “My parents were like, ‘Listen, if [Moana] doesn’t go anywhere, you need to finish high school. You need to do the dishes. You need to fix your bed. Don’t let it get to your head,'” she recalled.During the tough times, her mom's discipline played a crucial role. “She was the one to discipline,” Cravalho said. “That was some tough parenting in allowing me to grow as a human, but also looking me in the eye and saying, ‘You need to be kind and you need to be kind to me.’ It was at those moments that I realized, ‘Okay, I can’t give all of myself [to the work.]'”

From Struggle to Success

After the movie became a massive success, Cravalho's life changed dramatically. “Moana” has since gone on to become the most streamed movie ever, with a highly anticipated sequel now playing in theaters. Cravalho herself received widespread plaudits earlier this year for her outstanding performance in “Mean Girls.”While she acknowledged that kids often feel indebted and grateful for their parents' sacrifices, the 24-year-old worked hard to make it up to her mom. “I bought my mommy a house,” she proudly said. “She’s happily retired.”This story is not unique. Many Hollywood stars have used their success to help their parents. For instance, “Barbie” star Margot Robbie revealed that she used to keep a close eye on the money her mom lent her when she was starting out as an actress. “She’d take money out of the house mortgage and lend me money,” she said. “So I always knew, ‘Oh, I’ve gotta pay that back.'” And later, when she made enough money, she paid off the entire mortgage. “Thor” actor Chris Hemsworth also used his Hollywood earnings to pay off his father's debts. Michael B. Jordan bought a mansion to share with his parents, saying, “It’s every kid’s dream, to buy their mom and dad a house. It was a bucket-list thing for me.”If you're looking to make extra money outside of your day job, sign up for CNBC’s online course “How to Earn Passive Income Online” to learn about common passive income streams, get tips to get started, and hear real-life success stories. Plus, sign up for CNBC Make It’s newsletter to get valuable tips and tricks for success at work, with money and in life.