Honestly, if you grew up watching the 2002 original, Nani Pelekai wasn't just a "Disney sister." She was the backbone of a story about survival, grief, and the absolute chaos of trying to keep a family together when the world—and social workers—are actively trying to tear it apart. When Disney announced the live-action Lilo & Stitch 2025, everyone knew the stakes for Nani were going to be sky-high.
The movie officially hit theaters on May 23, 2025, and while the CGI Stitch got plenty of "he's actually cute" reviews, the conversation around Nani in Lilo & Stitch 2025 has been much more complicated. It’s a mix of nostalgia, casting controversy, and some pretty wild changes to the ending that have fans of the original animation feeling... well, conflicted.
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Who Is the Live-Action Nani?
Sydney Elizebeth Agudong is the actress who stepped into the role. She was born and raised on Kauaʻi, which you'd think would make her a slam-dunk choice. But the internet rarely makes things that simple. As soon as her casting was announced, the debate over "colorism" blew up.
In the 2002 version, Nani was designed with distinct Polynesian features—a deeper skin tone, a specific nose shape, and a realistic "surfer’s build" that didn't fit the typical stick-thin Disney princess mold of that era. Sydney Agudong is multiracial (White and Filipino descent), and many fans argued that she was "light-skinned" or "white-passing" compared to the character they grew up with.
A Rough Start on Set
It wasn't just the casting that made headlines. The production felt cursed for a minute there.
- Arson on Set: On the very first day of filming, a fire (suspected arson) broke out in a trailer, damaging specialized costumes and pushing the schedule back.
- The David Drama: Kahiau Machado was originally cast as David, but Disney replaced him with Kaipot Dudoit after old social media posts surfaced where Machado used racial slurs.
- Release Pivot: For years, this was supposed to be a "straight-to-Disney+" movie. Then, seeing how much people actually missed the big screen, Disney pivoted to a full theatrical release in May 2025.
How Nani in Lilo & Stitch 2025 Changes the Story
If you’re expecting a beat-for-beat remake, prepare for a bit of a shock. The 2025 film tries to "flesh out" Nani’s backstory. In this version, she isn't just a girl struggling to find a job at a "fakey luau." She was a champion surfer with dreams of becoming a marine biologist.
The movie hammers home the idea that she gave up her entire future the second her parents died.
While the original Nani felt like a tired, 19-year-old girl just doing her best, the Lilo & Stitch 2025 version of Nani feels a bit more "Type A" and overachieving. She’s smarter, more athletic, and arguably more frustrated by the life she’s "trapped" in. This leads to an ending that has left some viewers absolutely fuming.
The Ending Controversy: Wait, She Leaves?
In the 2002 classic, 'Ohana means family, and family means nobody gets left behind. The whole point is that they stay together.
In the 2025 remake, things take a left turn. At the end of the film, after the whole alien showdown, Nani actually agrees to let Lilo live with their neighbor, Tūtū (played by Amy Hill). Nani then leaves Hawaii to head to the mainland for college to pursue that marine biology degree.
Yeah. Lilo is literally left behind.
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The filmmakers clearly wanted to show Nani "reclaiming her life," but for a lot of fans, it feels like it breaks the core theme of the entire franchise. It's a "good for her" moment that feels "bad for the family."
Why This Version of Nani Still Matters
Despite the changes, Sydney Agudong puts in a solid performance. Her chemistry with Maia Kealoha (who plays Lilo) is genuinely sweet. You can tell she cares, and the scenes where she’s playing the ukulele in a hammock with Lilo feel like they’re pulled straight from a dream of old Hawaii.
There are also some cool Easter eggs for fans of the original. Tia Carrere—the voice of the original Nani—actually appears in the 2025 movie, though not as Nani. She plays a social worker named Mrs. Kekoa. It’s a passing-of-the-torch moment that feels respectful, even if the new plot goes in a direction some people hate.
Real Talk on the Box Office
Whatever the critics say, the movie was a massive hit. It became the first Hollywood film of 2025 to hit the $1 billion mark. It turns out, people really, really wanted to see a live-action Stitch, even if they had questions about the casting of Nani or the changes to the script.
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What to Do If You Haven't Seen It Yet
If you're planning a rewatch or seeing it for the first time, keep these points in mind to get the most out of it:
- Check the Streaming Date: If you missed it in theaters, Lilo & Stitch 2025 began streaming on Disney+ on September 3, 2025.
- Watch the Original First: Seriously. To appreciate the nuances of what Agudong is trying to do with Nani, you need to see the 2002 version. The contrast in their "surfer" backgrounds is a huge part of the new character's identity.
- Look for the Cameos: Keep your eyes peeled for Jason Scott Lee (the original David) who shows up as a luau manager.
The 2025 version of Nani might not be the "same" as the one from your childhood, but she represents a different kind of struggle—one about the balance between self-sacrifice and self-growth. Whether that fits the "Ohana" message is something you’ll have to decide for yourself after the credits roll.