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When many Disney movie fans think of the 2002 cult favorite animated movie called Lilo & Stitch, they might think of peaceful tropical locales since the Disney film (which is a story about a girl named Lilo, her sister Nani, and their blue alien friend Stitch) takes place in Hawaii, but all is not peaceful when it comes to the new live-action adaptation of the film!
Disney Fanatic has been keeping a very close eye on news pertaining to the new live-action remake of the Disney movie — especially since many Disney viewers are less than enthusiastic about Disney’s habit of turning its old movies into live-action films — and we recently shared some big news about Disney’s casting decisions for the new movie.
Lilo, Stitch, and Nani. Credit: Disney
The Hangover star who may or may not be playing Pleakley was certainly a surprise, but the casting announcement for the actress who will be playing Nani was also a shock for many Disney fans. However, Nani’s casting has brought about a strong reaction among Lilo & Stitch fans for an entirely different reason.
The West Michigan actress Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, who hails from Kauai, Hawaii, will apparently be playing Nani. Her co-star, newcomer Maia Kealoha, will be playing Lilo.
Unfortunately for Agudong and Disney, however, it looks like audiences are already reacting negatively to Agudong’s casting and calling her too “white” for the role!
Sydney Elizebeth Agudong play Nani in the new Lilo and Stitch movie. Credit: The Hollywood Reporter/ Everett Collection / MICHAEL DAMBROSIA
Audiences’ complaints about whitewashing in movies are certainly not new, but some people may be surprised to see the criticisms aimed at a Hawaiian native. Other people, however, will completely understand why an uproar has begun.
Not being Indigenous or from a PoC community, it may not be easy to see a problem with this casting, but within our communities this is a big issue.
No offense to Sydney, but Nani is Indigenous Hawaiian with strong features and dark skin, this casting is blatant colorism. https://t.co/OLnw0KZlt4— 🪶Cuchillo Lope🪶 (@HosteenCholo) April 14, 2023
“Not being Indigenous or from a PoC community, it may not be easy to see a problem with this casting, but within our communities this is a big issue,” one person wrote on Twitter. “No offense to Sydney, but Nani is Indigenous Hawaiian with strong features and dark skin, this casting is blatant colorism.”
Listen she’s probably a lovely woman but I can’t help but feel disappointed. I wanted Nani to look like me 🙁 https://t.co/SKY0R50MZE pic.twitter.com/LLpNSgwN7c
— Motivated Uni (@MotivatedUni) April 14, 2023
“Listen, she’s probably a lovely woman but I can’t help but feel disappointed,” another person wrote online, expressing dismay at Disney’s casting choice. “I wanted Nani to look like me.”
“I get that there isn’t a ‘look’ to being indigenous,” another Disney audience member complained, “but nani is not a light skin indigenous hawaiian woman….like let’s be serious right now.”
i get that there isn't a "look" to being indigenous, but nani is not a light skin indigenous hawaiian woman….like let's be serious right now. pic.twitter.com/HTCc7ggqEV
— tony (@cerotez) April 14, 2023
Another Twitter user pointed out that, at the very least, a competitive surfer like Nani would be “out there [surfing] daily” and therefore “the actress should be tan.”
What are your thoughts on the casting of Sydney Elizebeth Agudong in the role of Nani for this new version of Lilo & Stitch?
