Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear called Lin-Manuel Miranda for advice while working on the hit animated Disney sequel

Amid the divisive audience response to the Moana 2 soundtrack, Lin-Manuel Miranda has now explained his absence from the sequel in a new interview.

In a new interview, Lin-Manuel Miranda shared why he didn't return for the sequel, despite writing award-winning songs for Disney's 2016 animated hit.

He told PEOPLE that he's “really proud" of 'Moana 2' composers Opetaia Foa'i, Mark Mancina, Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear

Lin-Manuel Miranda was noticeably absent from Moana 2. Miranda, who received an Oscar nomination for the song “How Far I’ll Go” in Moana, did not work on the music for the sequel. Instead, Miranda was the composer and lyricist on Mufasa: The Lion King.

Lin-Manuel Miranda explains his absence from Moana 2, praises new composers, and discusses creating music for Mufasa.

Lin-Manuel Miranda puts to rest the speculation surrounding why he didn't return for Moana 2 after writing much of the first film's iconic music.

Lin-Manuel Miranda is opening up about why he didn't return for 'Moana 2.' Miranda, who wrote the music for 2016's 'Moana' and received an Oscar nomination for the song "How Far I'll Go," recently spoke to The Hollywood Reporter about his latest work on 'Mufasa: The Lion King alongside the film's director Barry Jenkins.