From Hula Dreams to Disney Stardom: Maia Kealoha's Journey as Lilo

Over the last two years, Maia Kealoha has been experiencing an incredible journey.

Initially, this 8-year-old girl merely harbored a dream of becoming an actress. Now, she’s set to portray Lilo in the upcoming live-action remake of Disney’s beloved film, Lilo & Stitch. It seems as if she was destined for this role.

In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Maia recounted her journey, stating that at age 5, she participated in a pageant called Mini Miss Kona Coffee and expressed her ambition to become an actress, much like the character Doogie Kamealoha. Her mother wrote this aspiration down on paper. Five weeks later, news broke about auditions for Lilo, and Maia exclaimed, “Yes! Yes! My dreams have come true!”

However, reality took some time to materialize. It wasn’t until after 15 auditions that she secured the role in 2023. The moment she was offered the part is an experience she will always cherish.

“When I got home,” Maia said, “they asked me if I would like to be our Lilo.” Overwhelmed and emotional, she responded speechlessly, with tears in her eyes.

In case it’s been a while since you last watched, let me summarize: The film revolves around an alien fugitive named Experiment 626 who manages to escape from his spaceship and ends up in Hawaii. A young girl named Lilo takes him in believing he’s a dog and calls him Stitch. When Stitch joins Lilo and her elder sister Nani, who is taking care of Lilo, things get chaotic but also a strong friendship develops between them. Their bond, however, faces danger as attempts are made to send Stitch back into space.

In addition to Maia, the film showcases Sydney Agudong as Nani and Chris Sanders lending his voice to Stitch, who not only voiced this character but also wrote and directed it in the original movie from 2002. The upcoming film boasts an impressive cast that includes Zach Galifianakis, Hannah Waddingham, Tia Carrere (the original Nani), Courtney B. Vance, and Billy Magnussen.

Since ‘ohana’ means family and family implies no one is left behind or forgotten, Maia has ensured her fan base is included in the promotion of the movie, explaining how she identifies with her character.

In an interview with ET, she said, “We’re both Hawaiian. We love to dance hula.” This was her favorite scene. She also shared that her character and herself are quite crafty. “Every time my mom enters the room, she’s like, ‘What are these papers doing all over the place?’ I’m like, ‘Uh, I’m trying to pick them up, but there’s too much falling out of my hands.'”

The young actress has also offered sneak peeks into her life off-screen, posting about Disneyland visits, red carpet events, and family outings on her social media. As a dedicated Disney fan, she’s also shared clips of herself dancing and singing to popular Disney songs like “How Far I’ll Go” from Moana, “What Dreams Are Made Of” from The Lizzie McGuire Movie, and “The Climb” from Hannah Montana: The Movie.

She captioned an Instagram video of herself singing “The Climb” by Miley Cyrus in March, saying, “It’s the climb!” After watching The Hannah Montana movie for the 100th time.”

Lilo & Stitch is set to hit theaters on May 23, and Maia encourages fans to join the excitement. “It’s very fun and amazing,” she told TopMob News in November. “I can’t wait for you guys to see it. It’s going to be a blast.”

Until then, read on to discover secrets about the film and more Disney movies.

How far did Walt Disney travel to ensure that this 1937 film was the most enchanting? The answer lies in his unwavering dedication to creating the first full-length animated movie ever made in the U.S. As a teenager, he had watched a silent version of the fairy tale and decided it was worth every effort. When the expenses for the three-year production skyrocketed to $1.5 million, Disney put his house up as collateral to finance the project.

2. Initially, it was planned and sketched that other dwarves, such as Snoopy, Blabby, Dizzy, Graceful, Hotsy, Jumpy, and Biggy-Wiggy would be part of the group, but at the last minute, Sneezy took their place instead.

3. In 1939, when Walt was awarded an honorary Oscar for the movie, the statue given to him consisted of a main statuette and seven smaller replicas.

4a. In 1941, I found myself reminiscing about a captivating story of an elephant who learned to embrace his distinctively large ears (modeled after the 36-page book, “Dumbo the Flying Elephant”). This extraordinary elephant was on the verge of gracing the cover of TIME Magazine, destined to be celebrated as Mammal of the Year. However, events took an unexpected turn following the attack on Pearl Harbor, prompting editors to alter their plans.

5. A long time ago, before Taylor Swift, Disney ruled with its hidden references known as Easter eggs. Notably, the WDP Circus from the movie Dumbo stands for Walt Disney Productions, a not-so-subtle hint at the production company’s name.

6. As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but marvel at this gem from Disney, clocking in at mere 64 minutes. Given the ongoing global conflict, resources were scarce, and the production budget was slashed to an astounding $812,000 – a testament to their creativity and passion for storytelling!

7. Many find it distressing that Bambi’s mother died early (spoiler alert!), and Diane Disney was one of them. She expressed her concerns to her father about this scene, only to be told he was adhering to the storyline from the book, “Bambi: A Life in the Forest.” In response, she reminded him of the creative liberties he had taken in previous adaptations.

8. To accurately portray the biography of a fawn, animators studied wildlife documentaries, made trips to the LA Zoo, analyzed the actions of two donated deer in the studio, and even went as far as observing the process of decay in a deceased deer, demonstrating their dedication to authenticity.

9. At age 6, Donnie Dunagan, the voice behind Bambi, enlisted in the Marines and served in the Vietnam War. He was cautious about discussing his brush with stardom (“The image that people have of Bambi is a small deer struggling on ice,” he explained to NPR’s StoryCorps, “not a deer doing well”) but his past was revealed when, close to retirement, he respectfully declined a task assigned by a general, mentioning he didn’t have the time to complete it.

He recollected, “He glanced at me, pushed his glasses down as if imitating a college professor, and then… A large, conspicuous, classified folder he fetched from some hidden compartment bore my name. He tapped this folder, made eye contact with me, and inquired, ‘Won’t you be auditing the auditors, Maj. Bambi?’

By the end of World War II, the studio found itself deeply in debt due to a series of box office flops and excessive spending. In a bold move, they gambled $3 million on a lavish retelling of a fairy tale. The outcome? After accounting for inflation, this 1950 film has grossed over $532 million at the box office and continues to generate revenue through merchandise sales. And so, their gamble paid off handsomely, leading to a financially prosperous future. Quite the fairy tale ending!

11. Cinderelly is among the earliest Disney princesses and, though young at heart, she’s reached the mature age of 19. (On the other hand, Snow White is only 14 years old.) Her shoe size, interestingly, is quite petite, being just a four-and-a-half.

12. In truth, what does a name matter? Disney chose not to give a name to their leading character’s enchanting partner. Instead, he goes by the straightforward title of Prince Charming.

13′. In 1953, the remaking of J.M. Barrie‘s work held deep personal significance for Disney, who had dipped into his savings to witness a live performance as a child and later played the role of Peter in a school play.

14. The looks of Kathryn Beaumont, who played Wendy Darling and also voiced Alice in Wonderland, as well as Bobby Driscoll who portrayed Peter, significantly impacted the animators’ character designs. Tragically, Driscoll struggled with substance abuse and passed away due to heart failure at 31 years old.

15. Contrary to the notion suggested by her name, it was not a tinkling bell sound that characterized Tinker Bell; instead, her distinctive noise was crafted from assembling strips of aluminum.

16. By George! This wasn’t just any love story, but a heartwarming tale set on four paws. The inspiration came from writer Joe Grant’s real-life Springer Spaniel, Lady. However, it was Disney who gave the name to the refined dog’s unconventional lover, replacing “Mutt” in the script with “Tramp”.

17′. While working on the 1955 production, I found myself surrounded by our four-legged friends at Disney’s office, as real dogs were brought in to motivate and inspire us animators.

18. Almost discarded from the movie, the most memorable scene of the film was considered too emotionally complex for animals by Disney. However, luckily, animator Frank Thomas devised a suitable approach to preserve this scene.

19. Initially, the film didn’t do well at the box office, causing a pause in the production of animated fairy tales until The Little Mermaid three decades later. However, re-releases in 1970, 1979, 1986, and 1995 made it the second-highest grossing movie of 1959.

20. To continue with the sleep analogy…it went through quite an extended dormant phase. Originally conceptualized in 1951, the intricately designed sketches (intended to distinguish it from the other Disney princess film, Cinderella) and Disney’s determination that each frame should be a masterpiece took many years to transform the 17th-century Charles Perrault fairy tale into movies. Additionally, Disney was preoccupied with another minor venture: Disneyland.

21. Mary Costa, a skilled opera singer, lent her voice to Sleeping Beauty in the movie, but that wasn’t her only prestigious role. Following Jackie Kennedy Onassis being impressed with her performance of the national anthem at the Academy Awards, she was subsequently invited to sing at John F. Kennedy’s funeral.

22. Bare Essentials Only (Just the Basics): In the 1967 adaptation, the character Rocky the Rhino was left out because his scene appeared after King Louis the Orangutan, and Disney opted to avoid consecutive comic scenes.

23. Richard and Robert Sherman aimed to secure The Beatles for their song “That’s What Friends Are For,” but the legendary group declined the opportunity, preferring not to collaborate on the project.

24. This 1989 masterpiece ignited what is commonly referred to as Disney’s Renaissance period. After the release of Oliver & Company, The Black Cauldron, and some films in the Herbie series (all live-action), the success of Ariel and her companions was followed by a string of critically acclaimed ’90s productions, including Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, The Lion King, Toy Story, among others.

25. Take another look at the initial scene featuring King Triton: Astute viewers (or simply those who can pause) will notice Mickey Mouse, Goofy, and Donald Duck among the underwater throng, a tradition maintained by the studio of acknowledging its rich collection of characters.

26. Color played a crucial role in the underwater scene painting. As stated on the official Walt Disney Company blog, Ariel’s red hair was selected to distinguish her from Daryl Hannah’s blonde mermaid in the 1984 film ‘Splash’, and to harmonize with the unique shade of blue-green used for her fin, a color specifically concocted by the Disney paint lab and christened Ariel.

27. Concerning her facial characteristics, they were reminiscent of the actress Alyssa Milano from “Who’s the Boss?” She shared this information with Wendy Williams in 2013, stating that she didn’t realize it at the time. However, when she was asked to host “The Making of The Little Mermaid,” she discovered that the character’s design and resemblance were based on photos of her from her younger years, which she found incredibly exciting!

28. Screenwriter Linda Woolverton drew inspiration for crafting Belle, a woman powerful enough to subdue the Beast, from Katharine Hepburn’s portrayal in Little Women. As Jo’s character was more tomboyish, both characters shared strength, activity, and a passion for reading, as well as a desire for something greater than their current lives. The blue dress she wore in the initial scene served as a subtle nod to this longing for something beyond their provincial existence.

29. Meanwhile, Beast was crafted by combining various animal characteristics. Desiring him to be grounded in reality, animator Glen Keane explained, he possesses the brow of a gorilla, the head shape of a buffalo, the majestic mane of a lion, the tusks of a boar, the legs of a wolf, and the expressive eyes of a once-privileged, now trapped prince.

30. Initially, the character of Mrs. Potts in the movie, portrayed by Angela Lansbury, was named Mrs. Chamomile because we aimed to find a name with the most calming connotations, producer Don Hahn explained to Vanity Fair. However, it turned out that people found it difficult to pronounce.

31. Lacking cash or royal ancestry didn’t hinder him; instead, he shattered Disney’s traditional charm with his quick wit, audacity, and charisma. The main character defied convention as the animator Keane put it, “I’ve never been able to fathom why Snow White and Sleeping Beauty were smitten by those princes.” He expressed a desire for a more substantial partner for Princess Jasmine. “Those princes were just empty symbols,” he said, “and their love story was presumed. Our goal was to make the princess’s falling in love feel genuine.

32. Initially, the part of the boisterous parrot Iago was declined by both Danny DeVito and Joe Pesci, until Gilbert Gottfried eventually accepted. Contrastingly, the character of Genie was specifically crafted for Robin Williams; producers persistently pitched the role to him prior to the 1992 film’s release, capitalizing on his comedic prowess.

Even though the actor only had a limited number of recording days, he offered the producers a wealth of material to select from. According to supervising animator Eric Goldberg in an interview with Entertainment Weekly, “Robin had so much creative freedom, and improvisation was always encouraged.” He would often deliver numerous variations for each line, sometimes playing as many as 20 different characters.

33. The stars who played Aladdin (Scott Weinger, more recognized as Steve from Full House’s D.J.) and Jasmine (Linda Larkin) felt less confident because they believed they might be replaced upon confessing they weren’t proficient singers professionally. However, the filmmakers discovered musicians for the major musical performances instead.

34. The first Disney animated movie not adapted from a book or fairy tale, it began production simultaneously with the 1995 film Pocahontas. This movie took significant inspiration from the biography of the real Native American woman, but many of the studio’s lead animators preferred to work on Pocahontas, believing it would be more successful. However, Simba and his pride’s story in that same year ended up grossing close to $1 billion at the box office, outperforming expectations.

35. Perhaps give some credit to Pumba? The warthog was the first Disney character to fart onscreen.

36. It’s not surprising that there were numerous changes to the initial script. One of the most striking alterations was transforming Scar from a random rebel into Mufasa’s brother as the villain. This change, made during the character development process, explains the significant differences in their physical appearances.

37. Contrary to that widely known city tale suggesting a cloud of dust formed the inappropriate term “sex”, it turns out the producers had actually written SFX, which stands for Special Effects, as a nod to their talented team. Oops!

38. Although Pocahontas’ story in the 1995 film was significantly altered by Disney, it still marked a significant milestone for them as it was their first animated feature to portray an interracial couple. Interestingly, Percy the pug, while fictional, was historically accurate as Mike Gabriel, the research director, mentioned that British royalty often kept small dogs like pugs with them during that period.

39. Creating the lead character and each scene was a genuine, passionate project involving no less than 55 animators who worked tirelessly on it. Every single scene underwent at least 35 rounds of drafting and refining.

40. Wondering what a blue corn moon means? Even Judy Kuhn, who provided the musical voice for Pocahontas, was unsure about it. In her interview with Entertainment Weekly in 2015, she admitted, “I’ve always wished someone could clarify this to me.

41. The 1995 blockbuster revolutionized our perspective on toys by being the initial full-length computer-animated movie ever made, thrusting Pixar into the limelight. However, it might have turned out differently. Initially, Woody was designed as a ventriloquist dummy instead of a cowboy, and he had an unlikable character, often mistreating toys on purpose.

42. Before the creation of ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ by Joss Whedon, he was invited to the writers’ room and is credited for penning one of the show’s most memorable lines: “You’re a melancholic, peculiar fellow, and my sympathy extends to you.”

43. Tom Hanks has a close friend named Jim who lends his voice to all Woody-related merchandise when the Academy Award winner is unavailable. As Tom stated on The Graham Norton Show, “There are countless computer games and video projects,” and Jim works on those throughout the year.

44. In 2002, there was a tale about a destructive alien, who had been unleashed by his insane space scientist creator and ended up crashing in Hawaii. This film was intended as a return to fundamental storytelling after previous movies failed to meet their high box office earnings.

In 2022, as Disney executive Thomas Schumacher shared with Vulture, the concept was to create a modern version of the classic tale “Dumbo,” focusing on a director-led production that was less grandiose and intricate, allowing the animators greater creative freedom over it.

45. However, when co-director and co-writer Chris Sanders initially proposed his concept (inspired by an old idea for a children’s book), he shared with Vulture that it was originally set within a forest inhabited by animals.

46. To ensure that the character of Lilo was accurately portrayed, supervising animator Andreas Deja traveled to Hawaii. There, he had a guide show him around a local school. He recalled, “I remember we knocked on the door and a teacher came out. She asked some questions, and I told her and the children behind her that yes, we were from Disney and we were making a movie based on this island.” A little girl who overheard Disney, excitedly inquired, “Did you work on The Little Mermaid?” To which he replied, “Yes, I drew her father,” and she responded enthusiastically, “Yay!”. This seemed to make the children more welcoming towards them.

47. Scattered throughout the screen are several Easter eggs, such as a Dumbo toy in Lilo’s room, a Mulan poster adorning Nani’s wall, and countless hidden Mickey figures.

48. The concept of a superhero family retiring from active duty had been brewing in writer-director Brad Bird’s mind for approximately seven years before it found its way to Pixar Studios. At first, he was informed that the project would require a decade and an astronomical amount of money, but by 2004, the film surpassed its $92 million budget and garnered two Academy Awards.

49. Notable historian and writer Sarah Vowell landed the role of Violet, the daughter of Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl, following her appearance on “This American Life”, which was noticed by Bird.

50. By the time Incredibles 2 was released in 2018, technology had progressed significantly. They created a cutting-edge hair animation program for more lifelike tress movements, and an entire team focused on ensuring the hair flowed realistically in every shot. Additionally, they developed more sophisticated-looking super suits and costumes with attention to details like zippers and buttons. Truly amazing, isn’t it?

51. In 2009, the first Black princess in Disney’s history could have been portrayed by a real monarch. However, as mentioned in the book “Confessions of a Casting Director” by Jen Rudin, Beyoncé turned down an opportunity to audition for the role. After trials from Alicia Keys, Jennifer Hudson, and Tyra Banks, it was eventually given to Anika Noni Rose, Beyoncé’s co-star in “Dreamgirls.” The actress requested that Tiana, a character based in New Orleans, have some similar characteristics, so animators made her left-handed and gave her dimples.

52. Directors Ron Clements and John Musker presented an idea (based on the book “The Frog Princess” and a Brothers Grimm fairy tale) to media mogul Oprah Winfrey in a casual manner during a Disneyland outing. To their surprise, she was captivated by it and ultimately provided the voice for Tiana’s mother, Eudora.

53. A long-cherished project that spanned over seven decades, Disney initially conceived the idea of adapting “The Snow Queen” by Hans Christian Andersen as early as 1937. Since then, they have been unable to abandon this captivating concept.

54. In order to perfectly depict the characters in the 2013 film “Frozen,” animators engaged in numerous fascinating tasks, such as:

– A meeting among team members (a sister summit) to explore and deepen their understanding of Elsa and Anna’s relationship.
– A comprehensive lesson on weather patterns (a crash course in meteorology).
– A trip to Norway for inspiration in recreating the setting of Arendelle.
– A two-day excursion to Jackson Hole, where they studied various aspects of snowfall and accumulation.

55. Initially envisioned as an evil queen with a blue face, spiky hair, and a coat of weasels (quite unusual), Elsa was moved out of the villain role following the creation of the popular song “Let It Go” by songwriters Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez.

56. To create the 2016 film featuring a determined daughter from a Polynesian village’s leadership, filmmakers established the Oceanic Story Trust. Comprising anthropologists, educators, linguists, expert tattoo artists, choreographers, haka practitioners, master navigators, and other specialists they encountered during their Pacific Island research trips, this group offered advice on all aspects of the region’s culture to ensure authenticity in the film.

57. Pua and HeiHei, chosen based on the count of pigs and roosters observed during South Pacific expeditions, were given voices by real-life animals.

58. Indeed, Auli’i Cravalho shares an uncanny likeness with her screen persona, yet it’s entirely by chance. The character of Moana was designed prior to her casting. Sometimes, things simply align perfectly.

2025-03-29 10:19

From Hula Dreams to Disney Stardom: Maia Kealoha’s Journey as Lilo

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