Who Is Maia Kealoha? 8 Must-Know Facts About the Hawaiian Newcomer Starring as Lilo in Disney’s Live-Action ‘Lilo & Stitch’

Disney’s newest breakout star, 8-year-old Hawaiian actress Maia Kealoha, is already capturing hearts worldwide with her big-screen debut as Lilo Pelekai in the live-action remake of “Lilo & Stitch,” which opened in theaters on May 23, 2025. Raised on Hawai‘i Island, Kealoha grew up immersed in hula and Native Hawaiian traditions, a background that director Dean Fleischer Camp says gave her “organic authenticity” for the beloved role. Disney first spotted her when she was only five, during an open casting call; by the time she walked into her callback, studio execs unanimously chose her to lead the $180 million family adventure, which also stars Sydney Agudong (Nani), Zach Galifianakis (Jumba) and Chris Sanders reprising his voice role as Stitch. Kealoha’s performance adds fresh layers to Lilo’s fierce loyalty and artistic spirit. In interviews, the young actress notes she and Lilo are “both crafty girls” who treasure ‘ohana and creative expression—she has even turned Stitch into a Bluetooth speaker in her favorite on-screen gag. Off camera, her playful personality surfaced when she pranked Camp by secretly sticking googly eyes on his jacket between takes, a story that went viral on TikTok and boosted her follower count past 350 K. The island native made her red-carpet debut at Gold Gala 2024 in Los Angeles, honoring Maui wildfire first responders while wearing a couture gown by Hawai‘i designer Kini Zamora. Since then she has become a fixture on entertainment shows, recently telling USA Today she hopes to work with Jenna Ortega, Adam Sandler and fellow Hawaiian Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Box-office analysts credit Kealoha’s magnetic presence—and the film’s respectful Hawaiian representation—for propelling “Lilo & Stitch” to a record-breaking $117 million domestic opening, edging out “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” for the Memorial Day weekend crown. Early merchandising data also shows Stitch plush sales quadrupling week-over-week, signaling Kealoha’s pull with young audiences. What’s next? Kealoha appears later this year opposite Jason Momoa and Dave Bautista in the action-comedy “The Wrecking Crew,” and Disney executives have already teased a potential “Lilo & Stitch” sequel after the film’s historic launch. For now, the rising star is enjoying a summer at home on the Big Island, where she still attends regular hula classes and surfs with friends—proof that even Hollywood’s brightest new talent keeps her ‘ohana and aloha spirit front and center.