"Sorry but a brown girl with long black hair is NOT Rapunzel.”
Avantika Vandanapu has become a victim of racism following rumours that she is set to play Rapunzel in a live-action version of the Disney animated film Tangled.
No live-action version of Tangled has been confirmed by Disney and the rumour’s origin can be traced to a tweet that was posted in March 2024.
In a now-deleted tweet, the user wrote:
“Sources say Avantika and Milo Manheim have been screen testing as Rapunzel and Flynn Rider for the Tangled live-action.”
Despite the claims without any basis, some believed the rumours and began posting racist comments, saying an Indian woman with black hair is not fit to play the role.
A TikToker said: “Rapunzel should be played by a blonde white girl.”
Another posted: “Rapunzel is a GERMAN folk story. Indians are not and never will be German.”
One TikToker posted: “Unpopular opinion Rapunzel is a blonde white girl.”
The user added in the caption: “Sorry but a brown girl with long black hair is NOT Rapunzel.”
In a TikTok video that went viral, a white woman filmed herself crying alongside the caption:
“Me pretending the little girl in me isn’t so upset by the live-action Rapunzel casting.”
Somebody call the wambulance pic.twitter.com/BJwnaSGl9f
— alicia (@silllyfunnygirl) April 8, 2024
The Mean Girls star also received hate on her Instagram, with some people calling her “disgusting” and saying “don’t ruin Tangled“.
One comment read:
“You’re going to be the worst Rapunzel in history.”
Some sarcastically said that casting an Indian woman as Rapunzel would be like casting white actresses in the roles of non-white Disney princesses like Mulan and Tiana from Princess and the Frog.
Others rushed to Avantika Vandanapu’s defence, pointing out that a Tangled live-action film has not been confirmed yet while also stating that she would be perfect for the role.
A fan said: “All this racism and delusions for a movie that doesn’t exist.”
Another commented: “How can you see Avantika and not think Disney princess.”
Others commented “my Rapunzel” under her social media posts.
As the racist hate spiralled, the original X user clarified that they posted the tweet for fun.
“Alright, I deleted that tweet. I tweeted it for fun but people took it seriously and decided to be racist.”
They added: “Fyi never wanted Avantika to be set up, I really liked the fan cast so I took the opportunity and mixed it with Milo (since at that time I was still a stan).”
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