Rumors have been swirling online about the possibility of Avantika Vandanapu, known for her role in ‘Mean Girls’, being cast as Rapunzel in a live-action adaptation of Disney’s ‘Tangled’. These rumors have sparked a wave of racist backlash directed at the Indian American actress.

Despite no official confirmation from Disney about a live-action Rapunzel movie, fan accounts on social media have been spreading unverified claims about Vandanapu screen-testing for the role. While some fans have supported the idea, others have responded with racist comments on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, arguing that an Indian woman with long black hair is not suitable for the role of Rapunzel.

These hurtful comments have flooded Vandanapu’s social media accounts, with some individuals going as far as to call her ‘disgusting’ and claim that she would ‘ruin Tangled’. The backlash also drew comparisons to the casting of non-white actresses in roles traditionally portrayed by white characters in Disney remakes, citing the example of Halle Bailey’s casting as Ariel in ‘The Little Mermaid’.

Similar incidents of racist trolling have occurred in the past when actresses of color were cast in live-action Disney remakes, demonstrating the ongoing challenges faced by performers from diverse backgrounds in the entertainment industry.

Despite the negativity, South Asian fans have rallied to support Vandanapu, defending her against the racist comments and standing up for greater inclusivity in casting decisions.