Rising star Sydney Agudong, celebrated for her role as Nani Pelekai in Disney’s live-action adaptation of Lilo & Stitch, recently hosted a vibrant backyard party at Romer House Waikīkī, surrounded by family and friends.
Hailing from Kaua’i, Agudong graced the event wearing a chic mini dress by Strait, an O’ahu-based fashion label available at Free People.
Adding to the festive atmosphere, Agudong performed her debut single, ‘Welcome to Hollywood,’ along with a duet of John Legend’s classic ‘All Of Me’ alongside Hualālai Chung, who lent his voice to Moni in Moana 2.
Their collaboration was recorded at Island Sound Studios in Honolulu and released in May under Agudong’s artistic moniker, Jayne Doe.
The backdrop of Agudong’s musical showcase, Romer House Waikīkī, opened in June 2024.
Featuring the slogan “love your neighborhood,” the venue has quickly become a favored destination for celebrities, including Justin and Hailey Bieber, at its original Chinatown location.
Now located within the hotel is The Lei Stand Waikīkī cocktail lounge, known for its bespoke, couture-level leis available for purchase starting at $35.
Reflecting on the significance of the venue, Agudong expressed her admiration, stating, ‘I think the way Romer House has stylized this place makes it feel like it’s already been here for a very long time.’
She continued, ‘The Lei Stand is historical. It housed so many iconic musicians, so it’s cool that Romer House was able to bring it back.’
The backyard party’s setup evoked the warmth of a family gathering, embellished with pu pu platters and fresh catch, embodying the spirit of Hawaii’s communal values.
‘Love thy neighborhood’ is an ethos deeply rooted in Hawaiian culture, as Agudong passionately articulated during her conversation with The Hollywood Reporter.
At just 24 years old, Agudong shared her insights on her favorite spots around O’ahu—where the original Lilo & Stitch film was shot—and her home base of Kaua’i, offering suggestions for those looking to eat, hike, surf, and enjoy coffee.
‘Kaua’i is like my bread and butter,’ she remarked, adding that she is still exploring the delights of O’ahu.
Agudong praised the proximity of Romer House to the Royal Hawaiian Center, noting a favorite coffee shop, Island Vintage Coffee Waikīkī, which also serves delicious acai bowls.
Another go-to is Honolulu Coffee, where Agudong indulges in her coffee cravings.
For surfing, she recommends a classic spot that’s often bustling with surfers, where the iconic Duke Kahanamoku statue can be found; he is revered as an iconic big-wave surfer who famously rode the longest wave from Diamond Head into Waikiki.
When asked if she has always been into surfing, Agudong shared her lifelong journey with the sport.
‘I’ve messed around with surfing my whole life,’ she said, recalling her training for Lilo by the Kaywana family, renowned big-wave surfers from the west side.
Agudong expressed gratitude for their guidance, which allowed her to connect deeply with the character.
Excitement builds around the recently green-lit sequel to Lilo & Stitch, expected to start filming early next year.
Agudong humorously added, ‘Our timeline is Maia’s height and maturity,’ referring to her co-star, Maia Kealoha, who initially struggled with swimming.
In addition to her penchant for surfing, Agudong highlighted other O’ahu hotspots she frequents.
For local shopping, she recommends the Kalama Valley farmer’s market and shops owned by surfer Kelia Moniz, Arlie Glass jewelry, and Avanti Hawaiian shirts, alongside Coconut Ave’s beachy fashion and swimwear.
Food enthusiasts shouldn’t miss Joja Hawaii, famous for its truffle smash burger, which sometimes requires pre-ordering due to its immense popularity.
She also praised the Mai Tai Bar at the Royal Hawaiian for its delectable truffle fries, conveniently located by the water.
For a romantic evening, she favors Lewers Lounge, an intimate jazz lounge featuring live music in a classy environment.
Next door, Roy’s Waikiki impresses with its memorable dishes; Agudong recounts trying escargot for the first time there, an experience she described as ‘scary but fantastic.’
The hiking trails of Hawaii also hold a special place in Agudong’s heart.
Among her childhood favorites is the Hanakapi’ai Falls hike on Kaua’i, an eight-mile round trip leading to a refreshing plunge pool at the end.
She fondly reminisced about packing peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with her mom, enjoying the journey followed by visits to Wishing Well Coffee in Hanalei.
The Dolphin restaurant in Hanalei also serves fresh poke, which she highly recommends.
Agudong’s recent foray into weight training isn’t just for fitness; she’s eager to diversify her acting portfolio.
‘I want to see where my limits lie, and I really want to get into more combative roles,’ she explained, attributing some of her stunt opportunities in Lilo & Stitch to her training.
The actor emphasized the importance of fully embodying her roles, noting, ‘I think it’s empowering to show girls that we can be strong and do these things.’
Discussing her collaboration with Hualālai on their ‘All Of Me’ cover, Agudong shared how they met through Kyle Spicer, co-owner of Island Sound Studios.
Spicer facilitated their connection, recognizing their mutual passions as singer-songwriters.
‘We thought it would be a cool “coming home” love song about giving our all back to Hawaii as gratitude,’ she reflected.
Agudong’s artistic persona, Jayne Doe, signifies her journey of self-discovery.
‘It represents my start of trying to figure out who I am as a person,’ she noted, likening her experience to Hannah Montana’s dual life.
Agudong spoke about her past experiences moving to L.A. when she was just 17, describing the transition from high school to pursuing a career in acting and music.
When asked about upcoming music releases, Agudong revealed a collection of 20 to 30 unreleased songs, co-written with friends she met in L.A.
She expressed the challenges of maintaining creativity and motivation within the music industry but shared her renewed desire to share her art.
‘It doesn’t feel like an open wound anymore… something I can slowly start to achieve again,’ she asserted, fueled by her experiences in Lilo & Stitch.
The emerging star also mentioned her work on the Hallmark+ series ‘Ripple,’ which is currently awaiting a green light for a second season.
In an exciting milestone, Agudong made her debut as a producer on the psychological thriller ‘Ether,’ which is in post-production.
Lastly, she recognized the incredible styling support she received during the Lilo & Stitch tour from Wayman and Micah, who dressed her in pieces from Rocket Ahuna, a childhood friend.
With her multifaceted talents and deep ties to her Hawaiian roots, Sydney Agudong continues to evolve as an artist, representing her culture and inspiring others along her journey.
image source from：hollywoodreporter
