What Happened to Lilo?

According to Disney, Stitch is "one of Disney’s most beloved characters and biggest brands."

"'Stitch is an example of what Disney actually does best,' David Greenbaum, President of Disney Live Action and 20th Century Studios" Disney Website

Stitch is everywhere

Disney Store home page -- Stitch Shop prominently featured

So what happened to Lilo?

She was erased.

Although there is a strong history of dynamic duos throughout live action and animation, as Stitch caught on in popularity, he neglected to bring his best friend and savior with him.

Where Are We Now (2026)

In May 2025, Disney released a live-action remake of its iconic 2002 animated film Lilo & Stitch. The 2025 remake was an unparalleled success. Disney reported that it opened as the number 1 film in the world and "set the record as the largest 4-day Memorial Day weekend opening of all time domestically."

Which character is to credit for this success? Per Disney:

"It was a record-setting weekend for The Walt Disney Company and its lovable and rambunctious little blue alien, Stitch."

Stitch's stranglehold on the Lilo & Stitch brand extends to merchandise.

"The blue alien made his debut in the 2002 animated film Lilo & Stitch, and Disney quickly leveraged the film’s success to create an interactive experience a couple of years later in Disney World’s Magic Kingdom called 'Stitch’s Great Escape.'

"Merchandise based on the character has been available for more than 20 years, but the live-action remake turbocharged it. Disney says that retail sales for consumer products based on the character surged past $4 billion in fiscal 2025.

"That’s $4 billion, with a “B,” of Stitch merch." Hollywood Reporter Article

Now I will admit, I haven't watched much beyond the original film. However, I wanted to include a brief analysis of representation in films, TV and theme parks. I conducted a very basic analysis - just looking at the names of the properties (as found on Wikipedia retrieved May 31, 2026).

Of the 11 properties, all 11 feature Stitch, only 3 feature Lilo.

You might notice that Lilo does make an appearance in most of these films (albeit as only a silent cameo in The Origin of Stitch). But that merely serves as a reminder that even though she has been discarded as a secondary character, Lilo is a crucial part of Stitch's story.

Stitch Lilo Media Representation

What about merchandise?

Stitch - 196 Results

Search for "Stitch" on the Disney Store, and you'll find 196 products. Don't take my word for it, go search yourself! As you scroll, you'll find Stitch, on his own, doing everything imaginable, on every type of product.

Retrieved May 30, 2026

Lilo - "20" but 11

Search for "Lilo" and it says 20 results. Already a small sum. But looking closely, you'll find only 11 of them actually feature Lilo, and zero of them show Lilo without Stitch.

Retrieved May 30, 2026

How It Started

Let's take a moment to remember 2002. When the world first met Stitch. And (importantly, this author argues) Lilo. What was the plot of that sweet movie?

2002 Movie Plot

Stitch, an alien, is designed by Jumba Jookiba with a primary function is to cause chaos across the galaxy by destroying everything he touches.
Stitch is a bad guy*! (*not his fault - Jumba made him this way)
He escapes space prison, and lands on Kaua'i
Lilo adopts him even though he looks like an alien and he acts chaotically
He creates chaos and ruins things. Lilo loves him in spite of this.
Lilo shows him forgiveness and love, and through her love, he is transformed.

Without Lilo, Stitch would be a villain - destroying and killing.

Who, then, is Lilo?

Lilo is an indigenous Hawaiian girl, an orphan, being loved and cared for by her sister, Nani.
Lilo is iconic!
She has huge feelings.
She feeds her ocean dwelling fish, Pudge, who she believes controls the weather.
She advocates for herself and for others.
She is brave and clever.
She loves to dance hula, take photos, and idolizes Elvis Presley.

In short, Lilo is an icon that all young people should be invited to know and love.

Was the 2002 Movie Perfect?

Of course the 2002 movie wasn't perfect. That said, given it was 2002, it did a pretty good job.

Take a read of this Cinema Blend Article (image to left)

"The actors voicing the film's young adults, Nani and David, were Tia Carrere, a local of Honolulu, and Jason Scott Lee, who is of Hawaiian descent and grew up in Hawaii. Both Carrere and Lee assisted with rewriting their characters' dialogue in proper colloquial dialect, and with adding Hawaiian slang terms." Wikipedia

"One innovative and unique aspect of the film is its strong focus on the relationship between two sisters. At the time, a central relationship between sisters as a major plot element was rare in American animated films." Wikipedia

More interesting background here: "An Oral History of Lilo & Stitch" back in 2002 "It was important that Sanders, DeBlois and their team did as much research as possible and worked with individuals from the community to create an authentic sense of the place and the people. Their research trips to Hawaii were eye-opening, and changed the course of the film visually, musically, and narratively."

The Impact

By leaving Lilo behind, we've erased her. We've erased the outspoken, clever, indigenous girl, in favor of the boisterous boy.

Holding Stitch (and Disney) Accountable

What are we asking for?

It's simple, really. As Stitch rose to fame, he should've followed in the tradition of other duos. He should've brought Lilo along with him.

Stitch owes Lilo everything - he is likable because of her.

We need more Lilo representation.

Stich is perfectly positioned to be an ally (a friend!) and help bring Lilo back onto the world's stage.

Give Lilo the representation she deserves.

What can you do?

Write an email to Disney: guest.services@shopdisney.com
- Sample email A: Dear Disney Team, We appreciate that Stitch is cool, however without Lilo, Stitch is nothing. Lilo transformed Stitch from a villain to the lovable creature we all know today. Please bring back Lilo represenation in media, and merchandise. She's a powerful figure - emotional, loving, silly. Please circle back to the dynamic duo: Lilo and Stitch.
- Sample email B: Dear Disney Team, Lilo is one of my favorite Disney characters and it makes me sad that the Disney Store has so few options for merchandise that features her. There are so many types of Stitch merchandise; I'd love for Lilo to get the same appreciation. I hope to see more options in the future!
- Feel free to use one or both, combine with your favorite parts, or write your own!
Buy Lilo Merch when you see it
Talk about how much you love Lilo on your socials
- There are so many great Lilo gifs! Pick out your favorite, and talk about why you love it. What makes Lilo relatable to you? Do you like that she's passionate? That she loves dancing? That she's patient and helps Stitch? That she advocates for herself? Pick one and talk about it :-)

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