The Dual Ages Of Lilo: How Old Is The Disney Character And The Live-Action Star In 2025?

As of December 18, 2025, the answer to "How old is Lilo?" is a fascinating duality, depending on which 'Lilo' you are asking about: the beloved animated character from the 2002 Disney classic, or the young actress bringing her to life in the highly anticipated live-action adaptation. The original character, Lilo Pelekai, has a fixed, canonical age of 6 or 7, while the talented child actress cast in the new film, Maia Kealoha, just celebrated her 9th birthday, making her the most current and relevant figure in the Lilo universe. This article dives deep into both figures, providing the most up-to-date information on the ages, biographies, and context of the two most important people to bear the name Lilo today. The character Lilo Pelekai has remained a cultural icon for over two decades, representing the spirit of *‘ohana* (family) and the unique beauty of Hawaiian culture. With the live-action remake generating massive buzz, the age of the actress playing the role has become a major point of curiosity, tying the timeless nature of the animated story to a real-world, current timeline.

Maia Kealoha: The Live-Action Lilo's Up-to-Date Biography and Current Age

The most current answer to the age question is found in the actress who will portray Lilo Pelekai in the upcoming Disney live-action movie. Maia Kealoha, a young talent from Hawaii, was selected for the role, and her profile has become the center of attention for fans eager to see the new film.

Maia Kealoha Profile and Biography

• Full Name: Maia Kealoha
• Role: Lilo Pelekai (Live-Action Adaptation)
• Date of Birth: December 15, 2016
• Current Age (as of December 18, 2025): 9 years old
• Hometown/Origin: Hawaii, USA
• Ethnicity: Native Hawaiian / American
• Casting Year: Announced in 2023
• Film Debut: *Lilo & Stitch* (2025 Live-Action)
• Age at Casting: Reports placed her at 7 years old when cast, reflecting the character's canonical age at the start of the franchise.

Maia Kealoha's casting was celebrated by fans who appreciated Disney’s commitment to selecting a young actress from Hawaii to authentically represent the character and the local culture. Her recent birthday in December 2025 means she is currently 9 years old, a significant detail for those following the production timeline of the film.

The Canonical Age of Lilo Pelekai (The Animated Original)

For purists and fans of the 2002 animated classic, *Lilo & Stitch*, Lilo Pelekai’s age is fixed within the franchise's timeline. Her age is a crucial part of her character arc, reflecting her vulnerability and her need for family and companionship after the loss of her parents.

Lilo Pelekai's Age in the Original Disney Franchise

Lilo Pelekai is established to be 6 years old at the beginning of the 2002 film, *Lilo & Stitch*.

By the end of the first movie, or throughout the subsequent sequel material and the animated television series, her age is often cited as 7 years old. This age range (6-7) is her canonical age, meaning it is the age she remains throughout the main narrative of the franchise, despite the real-world passage of time.

The film itself premiered on June 21, 2002. If the character had aged in real-time since the movie's release, Lilo would be in her late 20s or early 30s as of 2025, but animated characters do not age with their audience. Her youthful age is a defining characteristic that drives the core themes of the story.

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Key Details About the Animated Lilo's Profile

The animated Lilo Pelekai is a small Hawaiian girl living on the island of Kauai with her older sister, Nani Pelekai. Her full name is Lilo Pelekai. She is known for her love of Elvis Presley, photography, and, most importantly, her unique philosophy on family, or *‘ohana*. The character’s emotional maturity, despite her young age, is what makes her relationship with the alien Experiment 626 (Stitch) so compelling.

Why the Age Discrepancy Between Lilos is Important for the New Film

The difference in age between the fictional character (6-7) and the live-action actress (9) is a common, yet critical, detail in adapting animation to live-action. While the animated Lilo is canonically 6 or 7, casting a 6-year-old for the extensive filming schedule required for a major Disney production is often impractical.

Bridging the Gap: Casting for Authenticity and Production

Maia Kealoha, who turned 9 years old in December 2025, was likely 7 or 8 during the main filming period. This slightly older age allows for greater emotional range, better on-set endurance, and adherence to child labor laws for filming hours.

The casting choice highlights Disney's focus on cultural authenticity over strict age matching. By selecting a young, Native Hawaiian actress like Maia Kealoha, the production ensures that the spirit of Lilo Pelekai and the Hawaiian setting are honored, which is a higher priority for modern audiences than maintaining a precise 6-year-old age. This attention to detail extends to other characters, such as Nani Pelekai, Lilo's older sister, who is canonically around 19 years old in the original film, and will be portrayed by an actress who can capture that young adult struggle.

The new live-action film, slated for a 2025 release, promises to reintroduce the story of Lilo and Stitch to a new generation, making the age of its star a central piece of the current Disney news cycle. The enthusiasm surrounding the film is a testament to the enduring legacy of the original story and the iconic, young character at its heart.

The age of Lilo, whether the fixed 7-year-old in the cartoon or the current 9-year-old of the live-action star, represents a continued love for the themes of acceptance, family, and finding your place in the world. As the release date approaches, the focus will shift from *how old* Lilo is to *how well* the new film captures the magic of the original.

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