Avantika Vandanapu receives backlash for rumored casting as Rapunzel in 'Tangled' remake

“Mean Girls” star Avantika Vandanapu has become the subject of online backlash after her rumored casting in a Disney remake.

Vandanapu, known mononymously as Avantika, was rumored to be cast as Rapunzel in an alleged live-action adaptation of the Disney animated film “Tangled” after a since-deleted social media post claimed the actress was “screen testing” with Milo Manheim, according to an image of the post shared by BuzzFeed News.

The post sparked negative reactions from some fans, who took to the comments section on Avantika’s Instagram profile to share their dissatisfaction with the Indian American actor's rumored casting as Rapunzel, who appears as a light-skinned, blonde woman in "Tangled."

"You're NOT Rapunzel," one commenter wrote, while another added, "Girlie (you're) pretty, I adore (you) but (you're) not meant for Rapunzel. I'm sorry, (you) don’t look anything like her😭"

The X user who shared the alleged casting news issued a follow-up post Tuesday, explaining that the original post was meant to be "for fun but people took it seriously and decided to be racist."

"FYI never wanted Avantika to be set up, I really liked the fan cast so I took the opportunity and mixed it with Milo," the user added.

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Avantika Vandanapu receives fan support amid 'Tangled' casting backlash

Released in November 2010, "Tangled" reimagined the classic fairytale character Rapunzel in a musical adventure-comedy starring Mandy Moore as Rapunzel alongside Zachary Levi and Donna Murphy. The film, which went on to gross $592.5 million at the global box office, spawned the 2012 short film "Tangled Ever After," the 2017 TV film "Tangled: Before Ever After" and the 2017-2020 animated series "Rapunzel's Tangled Adventure."

Despite social media speculation, a live-action remake of "Tangled" has not been announced by the Walt Disney Company. A representative for Disney reportedly confirmed to Screen Rant in 2020 that screenwriter Ashleigh Powell was attached to a live-action film centering on Rapunzel.

USA TODAY reached out to representatives for Avantika and Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures for comment.

Although Avantika's rumored casting received criticism from some on social media, fans also showed support for the “Senior Year” actress.

“These comments are so awful. I’m so sorry girl you are perfect,” one Instagram user wrote, while another added, “She is my Rapunzel 😍❤️”

“Never Have I Ever” star Maitreyi Ramakrishnan also appeared to weigh in on the online controversy, writing on X Tuesday, "And they finally woke up to realize it was all just rumors and the sources never existed. ... And to the racists, y’all still need a hobby (for real) 🤡"

Other Disney castings that have caused controversy

Avantika's rumored casting in “Tangled” is not the first time Disney remakes have inspired criticism of the film studio’s racial diversity in its projects.

Actress Sydney Agudong was cast in the role of Nani in the upcoming live-action adaptation of “Lilo & Stich,” a sci-fi comedy that follows two orphaned Hawaiian sisters who unwittingly befriend an alien fugitive named Stich.

Disney casting controversies:'Lilo & Stich' fans slam casting of light-skinned Hawaiian actress in live-action remake

Despite Agudong’s Hawaiian descent, fans took to social media to scrutinize the appropriateness of her casting given the actress' light skin tone, which contrasts with the darker complexion of the original Nani from the 2002 animated film.

Similarly, Halle Bailey’s casting as Ariel in 2023’s “The Little Mermaid” divided fans, who debated the accuracy of casting Bailey – a Black woman – in the role of Ariel, who appeared as a light-skinned, redheaded mermaid in the 1989 animated film.