Disney criticised after revealing cast for Lilo & Stitch remake

Apr 15, 2023

Disney has been accused of “blatant colourism” after revealing who will star in a live-action remake of Lilo & Stitch.

Sydney Agudong – a 22-year-old who has Hawaiian ancestry – has been cast as Lilo’s older sister Nani.

But some fans say she is not representative of how Nani was depicted in the 2002 animation, where the character had darker shin, black hair and ethnic features.

One critic of the casting tweeted: “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.

“Nani is Indigenous Hawaiian with strong features and dark skin, this casting is blatant colourism.”

And another fan who is from the state wrote: “Listen, she’s probably a lovely woman but I can’t help but feel disappointed. I wanted Nani to look like me.”

Disney has faced criticism before over casting decisions in past live-action remakes.

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Back in 2019, the entertainment giant was accused of whitewashing after casting Naomi Scott – a biracial British actor of Indian ancestry – as Princess Jasmine.

The original character was the only Disney princess with darker skin at the time of the animated movie’s release in 1992.

Disney is yet to comment on the criticism.

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