STITCH IN TIME FOR LILO STAR SYDNEY

ACTRESS Sydney Agudong was not even two years old when the animated Disney movie Lilo & Stitch came out in 2002. Now, 23 years on, she's starring as the co-lead in the live-action remake and it’s a “big moment” for her.

- Ella Walker

Agudong plays Nani Pelekai, the elder sister and guardian of the titular Lilo (played by the adorable and ridiculously talented Maia Kealoha, who isn’t even 10 yet – when filming started, she wasn’t actually able to read her lines).

“I’ve been an OG fan since I was very, very, very little – one and a half. I saw myself as Lilo,” says Sydney, 24, who adds that when she became a big sister herself, she remembers feeling as though she’d stepped into the role of Nani.

“I had always looked up to Nani, and being able to play her felt very fulfilling.”