What to Know About Sydney Elizebeth Agudong — the Actress Who Plays Nani in Disney’s Live-Action Lilo & Stitch

When Disney announced the cast for its highly anticipated live-action remake of Lilo & Stitch, one name in particular prompted a curious double take: Sydney Elizebeth Agudong. For those who haven’t yet heard of her, that’s likely to change very soon. The 24-year-old actress, singer, and songwriter from the island of Kauaʻi, Hawai‘i, has stepped into one of the most iconic roles in Disney animation history — that of Nani Pelekai, the fiercely loving older sister of the mischievous but big-hearted Lilo.

Sydney Elizebeth Agudong's Background

Born and raised on the lush Garden Isle of Kauaʻi, Sydney Agudong brings more than just acting chops to the role — she brings lived experience. Her island upbringing is central to who she is, and while this live-action remake has been the subject of spirited conversations about representation, Agudong’s heritage is part of what makes her casting a nuanced choice. Of Caucasian, Filipino, and Polynesian descent, she is no stranger to navigating identity both on and off screen.

You May Recognise Her Sister

If her surname rings a bell, it’s likely because Sydney’s younger sister, Siena Agudong, has already made her mark in Hollywood with roles in Netflix’s No Good Nick and Resident Evil. The two started auditioning in Los Angeles when Sydney was 11 and Siena was just 7. While Sydney briefly stepped back from acting during her high school years to focus on school and a “normal” teenage life, she eventually came back to her first love — performance, according to her interview with Naluda Magazine.

“I graduated in 2018, and decided I wasn’t done pursuing entertainment, and decided to move to LA at 17 years old and am still here today,” she explained.

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Meet Jayne Doe

But acting is just one half of Sydney’s creative output. Under the artist name Jayne Doe, she also writes and performs music — soulful, introspective tracks that blend vulnerability with strength.

The pseudonym wasn’t chosen lightly. In her own words: “I realised that my goal as an artist was way bigger than just me. I am here to remind people of how much we still have to learn about each other and the world and how okay it is to feel lost. In today’s world, it is so hard to remember where you can gain strength in being the student not the teacher," she said in her interview with Naluda Magazine.

Nani: More Than Just a Sister

Portraying Nani is no small task. The character, originally voiced by Hawaiian actress Tia Carrere, is known for her complexity: at once maternal, stressed, and fiercely loyal, she’s the beating heart of the original film. Taking on the role means balancing subtle emotional weight with the cultural specificity that made the 2002 animated version so beloved.

Sydney is aware of the responsibility. As a performer who understands the island’s rhythm, language, and tight-knit community, she brings a quiet authenticity.

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