Disney’s casting of ‘Lilo & Stitch’ character prompts colorism debate Native Hawaiian fans say Disney has a track record of whitewashing characters, and they’re not happy with the reimagining of Nani as a lighter-skinned, biracial actor in the classic movie’s upcoming adaptation. No description found
Following news that “Lilo & Stitch” will be the latest Disney classic to get the live-action treatment, fans of the 2002 animated movie were abuzz with predictions and desires for who would take on the iconic Native Hawaiian roles. Many were left disappointed Friday when Disney announced the casting of a biracial, light-skinned actor in the role of Nani, Lilo’s older sister, who in the original movie was drawn with darker skin, black hair and ethnic features.
“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,” one person tweeted . “Nani is Indigenous Hawaiian with strong features and dark skin, this casting is blatant colorism.”
Disney did not respond to a request for comment.
Read more on NBC News here.
Copyright 2023 by KPRC Click2Houston - All rights reserved.
Woman dies in massive apartment fire on Houston's southwest side ▶ 1:16
Woman dies in massive apartment fire on Houston's southwest side
Man armed with knife fatally shot by Baytown police; mother of his children found dead in apartment ▶ 0:55
Man armed with knife fatally shot by Baytown police; mother of his children found dead in apartment
Top stories for December 19 ▶ 2:13
Top stories for December 19
Holiday travel hits a sweeter note as Southwest Airlines worker plays sax at Houston airport ▶ 2:03
Holiday travel hits a sweeter note as Southwest Airlines worker plays sax at Houston airport
Parents fight to save A-rated Sugar Mill Elementary as Fort Bend ISD weighs closures ▶ 0:51
Parents fight to save A-rated Sugar Mill Elementary as Fort Bend ISD weighs closures
Girlfriend identifies Andrew Meismer as victim in fatal stabbing at Baytown high school ▶ 0:53
Girlfriend identifies Andrew Meismer as victim in fatal stabbing at Baytown high school
Houston family says cemetery failed to deliver headstone for nearly three years ▶ 0:39
Houston family says cemetery failed to deliver headstone for nearly three years
Woman survives camel kick during Christmas performance at Houston-area church ▶ 0:54
Woman survives camel kick during Christmas performance at Houston-area church
Holiday travel forecast ▶ 0:41
Holiday travel forecast
Conroe judge disciplined for DUI during military ▶ 0:20
Conroe judge disciplined for DUI during military
Why there are two different days for the start of winter? ▶ 0:50
Why there are two different days for the start of winter?
Students at high school in Baytown gather to honor classmate who died in stabbing in classroom ▶ 1:17
Students at high school in Baytown gather to honor classmate who died in stabbing in classroom
3,500 cases of pertussis reported already this year! ▶ 1:16
3,500 cases of pertussis reported already this year!
Tops stories for Dec. 18 ▶ 1:43
Tops stories for Dec. 18
Camp Mystic works to regain parents trust as it plans to reopen ▶ 1:54
Camp Mystic works to regain parents trust as it plans to reopen
Rapid Fire with Tom Llamas in Houston 🔥 ▶ 2:33
Rapid Fire with Tom Llamas in Houston 🔥
New flood detection system going up at camps in Texas Hill Country ▶ 1:42
New flood detection system going up at camps in Texas Hill Country
Student dies after being stabbed with scissors during fight in classroom at Sterling High School ▶ 0:48
Student dies after being stabbed with scissors during fight in classroom at Sterling High School
Conroe judge told officers to ‘be aware that he is a judge’ during DWI stop ▶ 1:15
Conroe judge told officers to ‘be aware that he is a judge’ during DWI stop
Weak front on the way ▶ 1:03
Weak front on the way
Happy Wednesday! Clouds and showers expected throughout Houston today ▶ 0:49
Happy Wednesday! Clouds and showers expected throughout Houston today
Top stories for Dec. 17 ▶ 2:14
Top stories for Dec. 17
AirBnB shuts down Montrose ‘Grand House’ again after KPRC 2 gets involved ▶ 1:29
AirBnB shuts down Montrose ‘Grand House’ again after KPRC 2 gets involved
Petfinder change sparks concern from Houston-area rescues that rely on out-of-town adoptions ▶ 1:07
Petfinder change sparks concern from Houston-area rescues that rely on out-of-town adoptions
What to do if you come across an aggressive dog ▶ 1:25
What to do if you come across an aggressive dog
Previous photo Next photo