Tia Carrere Returns to the ‘Ohana in Disney’s Lilo & Stitch Live-Action: “Love and Connection Can Heal All”

More than two decades after voicing the fiercely protective and loving Nani in Disney’s Oscar-nominated animated hit Lilo & Stitch, Tia Carrere is returning to the beloved franchise—this time in front of the camera. In Lilo & Stitch Live-Action, Disney’s high-stakes summer tentpole (opening opposite Mission: Impossible), Carrere brings emotional gravitas to the role of Mrs. Kekoa, a soulful social worker committed to guiding a struggling family through change and heartbreak.

“Coming back into the Stitch-o-verse was so awesome,” Carrere beams. “To know that my original contributions—like Nani singing ‘Aloha ʻOe’—are still a part of the story 23 years later means everything.”

Lilo and Stitch Live-Action is on track to cross the $1 billion mark before it leaves theaters. It has just surpassed A Minecraft Movie to become this year’s highest-grossing movie.

A Full-Circle Performance

For Carrere, Lilo & Stitch Live-Action is more than just a role—it’s a homecoming. The film brings her together with former co-star Jason Scott Lee (who played David in the original) in a story that bridges generations and spotlights Hawaii in all its textured, emotional brilliance.

But instead of reprising Nani, Carrere steps into a new kind of caretaker role as Mrs. Kekoa, a character inspired by director Dean Fleischer Camp’s real-life mother, a social worker. “I originally wanted to play Tutu,” she admits with a laugh. “But Mrs. Kekoa ended up being such a lovely part. It was important to represent real social workers well—even down to the wardrobe choices.”

Carrere approached the role with care, creating a rich backstory for Mrs. Kekoa: a woman who came up through the foster system herself and now serves as both a guide and a mirror for the new Nani, played by Sydney Agudong. “There was this beautiful moment where Sydney and I talked about her process, and I felt like I was mentoring her in real life—just like Mrs. Kekoa would.”

StitchinImpossible: A Beacon of Light

Carrere cheekily dubs the movie’s release weekend “StitchinImpossible,” but the real impossibility might be watching this film without shedding a tear. From the instantly recognizable pidgin English to the heart-wrenching reprise of “Aloha ʻOe,” Lilo & Stitch Live-Action doubles down on its Hawaiian identity—and Carrere was instrumental in keeping that cultural authenticity intact.

“Growing up in Hawaii, I’m attuned to the cadence of our speech,” she explains. “Pidgin is specific, and local people will know if it’s not right.” The same goes for “Aloha ʻOe,” the world-famous Hawaiian farewell song that Carrere sang in the original. “It’s a song of love and parting. There’s no better way for Nani to say goodbye to Lilo without actually saying goodbye.”

In a time marked by conflict and division, Carrere believes this story resonates now more than ever. “The world is a particularly dark and scary place right now. A beacon of love and light—reminding us of our hearts and our loved ones—is the perfect antidote.”

A Career of Bold Moves

Carrere’s portrayal of Mrs. Kekoa has already earned buzz as a shift into compelling character-acting territory—something she’s embracing with open arms. “I’d love to share more of my heart and depth,” she says, citing Susan Sarandon’s role in Dead Man Walking as a dream part. “The idea of love and empathy being transformative—that’s what I want to explore.”

Still, her range has never been in question. From the iconic Cassandra in Wayne’s World to the action-packed True Lies and the culturally rich Easter Sunday, Carrere’s résumé spans genres and decades. “Cassandra was ahead of her time,” she reflects. “The fact that the female lead of a big studio comedy looked like me—that changed things.”

Recently, she wrapped filming The Last Resort with Daisy Ridley—a rom-com set in the Philippines, written by Legally Blonde’s Karen McCullah. “It was fun, breezy, and full of great people. I even got to dive with whale sharks where my dad was born. It was one of those full-circle moments.”

Staying Grounded, Staying Fearless

Despite a career that’s taken her from Hollywood to the Grammys—she’s a two-time Grammy winner for Best Hawaiian Music Album—Carrere remains deeply connected to her roots. “My Hawaiian upbringing keeps me grounded in a business known for spinning people out,” she says. “It’s a sad story often told. I’ve been lucky to stay centered.”

Her adventurous spirit helps, too. “I’ve always done things that make my family shake their head,” she laughs. “But with my partner Paul, we’ve really upped the ante—sailing trips, scuba diving, even jumping out of a helicopter into the ocean. I’ve never wanted to look back and ask ‘What if?’”

The Message That Endures

For Carrere, Lilo & Stitch is more than a franchise—it’s a message. “I’d love for people to believe that love and connection can heal all,” she says. “To love and be loved is the greatest thing we can do for ourselves and for others. Stitch found his family with Lilo and Nani, even though they weren’t blood. That’s the heart of the story.”

And maybe the heart of Tia Carrere too.