Over the past few weeks, Disney's upcoming live-action adaptation of Lilo & Stitch has been plagued with casting controversies.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Nani Pelekai will be played by Sydney Agudong, who was born and raised on the island of Kauai.
This sparked immediate outrage across social media and initiated a debate about colorism in the entertainment industry. At the time, many believed Sydney was light-skinned with Native Hawaiian ancestry, and that the role should have gone to a Native Hawaiian with a darker skin tone.
However, many social media users have begun looking into Sydney's background and have found no indication that she is actually Native Hawaiian in any databases, newspaper clippings, etc. Some social media users also claim that her mother is a Realtor in Hawai‘i.
The fact that she has a white parent who has sold land here is an even bigger slap in the face. Many may not understand our frustration with owning land in Hawai‘i but basically she has sold native lands to people who can afford it, majority rich white people.
In case you weren't aware, the affordable housing crisis has pushed a disproportionate number of Native Hawaiians into homelessness, for multiple reasons, one of which is the number of wealthy non-Native Hawaiians purchasing homes.
All of this initiated a second wave of backlash in response to Sydney's casting.
The casting of Kahiau Machado for the role of David Kawena was also met with intense backlash.
Social media users called Disney out for casting Kahiau after screenshots of the actor reportedly using the n-word on social media surfaced.
tw racism/colorism lrt Okay but not only is the guy they cast to play David in the Lilo and Stitch remake lightskin af but HE’S ALSO RACIST?! Like Disney COME THE FUCK ON
And now the Hollywood Reporter has released an update on the situation. According to the publication, Disney has decided that Kahiau will no longer play David because of his use of the racial slur.
The role of David will now go to relative newcomer Kaipo Dudoit.
Best of luck in your new role, Kaipo!
