Sydney Agudong is having a moment. Honestly, it’s more than a moment—it’s a full-on takeover. If you’ve been anywhere near a movie theater or scrolled through Disney+ lately, you know exactly who I’m talking about. She’s the face that launched a thousand "wait, who is she?" searches after snagging the role of Nani in the 2025 live-action Lilo & Stitch.
But here’s the thing: most people think she just appeared out of thin air. She didn't.
The girl has been grinding in the industry for years, doing everything from gritty indie dramas to guest spots on procedurals that your parents watch every Tuesday night. If you’re trying to track the trajectory of Sydney Agudong movies and tv shows, you have to look past the blue alien and the surfboard.
The Breakthrough: Lilo & Stitch (2025)
Let’s just address the elephant—or the experiment—in the room. The Lilo & Stitch remake was huge. Like, $1.038 billion at the box office huge. Sydney played Nani Pelekai, the stressed-out, heart-of-gold older sister trying to keep her family together in Kauaʻi.
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It wasn't an easy win. In fact, it was kinda wild. Sydney actually ended up competing against her own sister, Siena Agudong (who you might know from Resident Evil or No Good Nick), for the role. Imagine that dinner table conversation. They were the final two candidates. Sydney eventually got the nod, and while there was some internet noise about casting choices early on, her performance basically silenced the critics. She brought a specific kind of "island sister" energy that felt real, probably because she actually grew up on Kauaʻi.
Before the Big Budget: The Indie Roots
Before Disney came knocking, Sydney was doing the work in smaller, more intimate projects. If you want to see her actually act without the CGI distractions, you have to check out West Michigan (2021). She played Jasmine in this low-budget indie, and it’s a completely different vibe from her later work. It’s raw, it’s quiet, and it shows she can carry a film without a billion-dollar marketing budget.
Then there’s At Her Feet (2024). This one is special because it was shot right at the Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. She played Savannah, and the film is this intense adventure drama that feels like an ode to her home state. It’s one of those Sydney Agudong movies that fans usually miss because it didn't get a massive theatrical run, but it’s where she really started to find her footing as a leading lady.
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The TV Grind: From NCIS to On My Block
Television is where Sydney really paid her dues. You've probably seen her face in a "blink and you'll miss it" role without even realizing it.
- On My Block: She appeared in the final season as Charlize, Jamal’s prom date. It was a small part, but in the world of Netflix fandom, those two episodes (Chapter Twenty-Nine and the Final Chapter) are iconic.
- NCIS: In 2023, she popped up in the episode "Unusual Suspects" playing a character named Kelly. It’s the classic Hollywood rite of passage—if you haven't been on a procedural, do you even exist?
- Ripple (2025): This is her newest big swing on the small screen. She plays Aria in this drama series. Unlike her guest spots, this is a meatier role that lets her explore a more complex character arc over multiple episodes.
What's Next? The 2026 Outlook
Sydney isn't slowing down. If 2025 was her breakout year, 2026 is about cementing her status. She has a project in the works titled Jilliahsmen Trinity: 2.0 - R.O.Y.G.B.I.V. Yeah, the title is a mouthful, but it shows she’s leaning into more experimental or genre-heavy work. There’s also Ether, where she plays a character named Tessa, which is currently in the post-production pipeline.
Why People Get Her Career Wrong
The biggest misconception is that Sydney is just "Siena Agudong's sister." While they are close and often audition for the same things, Sydney’s path has been much more focused on transition—moving from singer-songwriter roots into heavy-hitting dramatic roles. She actually released a single called "Welcome to Hollywood" back in 2022, which is sort of prophetic when you look at where she is now.
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Also, don't confuse her with the "social media influencer" roles she's played. She portrayed Sara Sanders in the web series Find Millie Martin, playing a character obsessed with her online image. In reality, she’s pretty private. She’s more about the craft than the clout.
How to Catch Up on Her Work
If you're looking to dive into the full list of Sydney Agudong movies and tv shows, here is your "homework" list:
- Watch "Lilo & Stitch" (2025): Obviously. It’s on Disney+ now. Pay attention to the chemistry between her and Maia Kealoha (Lilo)—it’s the best part of the movie.
- Find "West Michigan": It’s available on most VOD platforms. It shows her range before the "Disney gloss" was applied.
- Binge "Ripple": This is the Hallmark+ / Netflix crossover era of her career. It’s a great look at her leading a television ensemble.
- Check out "At Her Feet": If you want to see her in her element—literally, in the Hawaiian wilderness—this is the one.
Sydney is proving that she isn't just a "breakout star." She’s a stayer. Between her billion-dollar box office cred and her indie reliability, she’s basically writing the blueprint for how to transition from Hawaii to Hollywood without losing your soul.