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1 year ago
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Maitreyi, Maitreyi, let down your hair!
Maitreyi revealed she would love to play Rapunzel and would welcome the idea of this Disney princess being South Asian.
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection
"You know what'd be really cool? I've been saying this and I've been seeing other people saying this. I think Rapunzel should be a South Asian girl." Maitreyi told CBS.
Steve Granitz / FilmMagic / Getty Images
"Because hear me out, no one knows what it feels like to be trapped in your room, not able to go out because your mother is telling you no, without giving you an actual proper reason like brown girls do."
Steve Granitz / FilmMagic / Getty Images
But this wasn't some random thought that popped into her head. Maitreyi has been manifesting this role for a long time now, speaking openly about it in other interviews, and online.
I’ve made it like really clear that like Rapunzel IS my dream role… right? Like we know this… right????☀️💜
— Maitreyi Ramakrishnan (@ramakrishnannn) September 12, 2022
She even tagged Disney to show how serious she was about it.
Tweets have manifesting powers? Alright, @Disney how does a South Asian Rapunzel sound? I can paint, sketch, and sew a dress💜☀️
— Maitreyi Ramakrishnan (@ramakrishnannn) January 26, 2022
She's expressed just how much she related to Rapunzel and would love to make her even more relatable for other brown girls by taking on the role.
Rapunzel. No one can relate harder to being locked in your room by your family than a brown girl😍
— Maitreyi Ramakrishnan (@ramakrishnannn) August 2, 2021But Maitreyi also considered the "pressure" she's under while being a figure of representation for South Asian girls, and leading roles like this.
Jon Kopaloff / Getty Images for Vanity Fair
"Of course, there are some people who are in Hollywood — like Hasan Minhaj, Mindy Kaling — but when you're looking for South Asian females and then young South Asian females the number [gets smaller and smaller]."
Jon Kopaloff / WireImage / Getty Images
"So there is a lot of pressure from that representation, but I'm very thankful and privileged to be in this position," she concluded.
Cindy Ord / Getty Images
And, like most casting news when a non-white actor is considering taking on the role of a white, animated fictional character, it was met with mixed responses:
I would like to see that adaptation. Anyone should have an opportunity to play a fairytale character.
— sally shine. (@Ayee_Kels) June 9, 2023That wouldn’t be repunzel then. The character is white. Why are people so obsessed with destroying character design.
— arik 👽 (@tthankunextt) June 9, 2023Honestly this would be such a perfect take on tangled! This would be so relatable for Middle Eastern and South Asian girls. Being locked up in your own room, crowded by responsibilities and restrictions, simply because you are a daughter. Overbearing parents, who aren’t ready-
— Kiera 아포방포 ia (@Kiera91612320) June 9, 2023Well, I would love to see this adaptation happen! There are so many fun ways that Disney can spin this retelling. Would you like to see Maitreyi play Rapunzel? Tell us who else you'd cast in the film.
Netflix
To read more about Maitreyi, check out her full interview with CBS. And be sure to watch the fourth and final season of Never Have I Ever, which is currently streaming on Netflix.
English (US) ·