Disney’s CEO Just Dropped a BOMBSHELL About the Future of Princesses! 😱
The magic of Tangled is getting a bold, modern twist, and whispers are swirling about Black actress Francesca Amewudah-Rivers stepping into Rapunzel’s iconic role! 🌟 Why is Disney’s CEO passionately defending this choice, and how will it redefine the Disney princess legacy? Dive into the drama and discover what’s really happening behind the scenes! Click the link to uncover the truth! 👉
Disney has long been synonymous with fairy tales, but the studio’s approach to its iconic princesses is evolving. Amid rumors of a live-action Tangled remake, a viral claim suggests that Disney Studios’ CEO defended Black actress Francesca Amewudah-Rivers as the new Rapunzel, declaring a mission to “modernize the legacy of Disney princesses.” However, no credible sources confirm Amewudah-Rivers’ casting or such a statement from Disney’s leadership. The Tangled project itself is reportedly on hold, with no official casting announcements. Yet, the rumor taps into a real and vital conversation: Disney’s efforts to diversify its princess lineup and the challenges faced by actresses of color in these roles. From Halle Bailey’s Ariel to the backlash against rumored castings, this article explores Disney’s modernization efforts, the Tangled controversy, and what it means for the future of fairy tales.
The Rumor: Francesca Amewudah-Rivers as Rapunzel? The claim that Disney’s CEO defended Francesca Amewudah-Rivers as Rapunzel in a live-action Tangled has sparked intense online debate. Amewudah-Rivers, a British actress of Ghanaian and Nigerian descent, gained acclaim for her West End debut as Juliet in Romeo and Juliet opposite Tom Holland in 2024, earning the Ian Charleson Award and the Critics’ Circle Theatre Award for Best Newcomer in 2025. Her casting as Juliet drew racist backlash, with over 800 Black actors signing an open letter in solidarity after she faced “deplorable racial abuse” online. The idea of her as Rapunzel, while unconfirmed, has fueled similar controversy, with some fans celebrating the potential for a Black Rapunzel and others arguing it deviates from the character’s traditionally white, blonde depiction.
However, the rumor appears to be unfounded. No official Disney press releases or reputable entertainment sources confirm Amewudah-Rivers’ involvement in Tangled. Earlier reports suggested the project was paused in April 2025, following backlash to Disney’s Snow White remake. Casting rumors have instead swirled around actresses like Florence Pugh, Sabrina Carpenter, and Avantika Vandanapu, with Gigi Hadid recently revealing she auditioned for the role. The claim about Disney’s CEO—likely referring to Bob Iger—also lacks evidence, as no such statement appears in Disney’s official communications or major news outlets. The rumor likely stems from social media speculation, amplified by the ongoing debate over diverse casting in Disney’s live-action remakes.
Disney’s Modernization Mission While the specific claim about Amewudah-Rivers is unverified, it reflects Disney’s broader push to reimagine its princess legacy. The studio has faced criticism for its historically Eurocentric fairy tales, which often center white, passive heroines. In recent years, Disney has taken steps to diversify its stories, casting actresses of color like Halle Bailey as Ariel in The Little Mermaid (2023) and Rachel Zegler as Snow White in the upcoming remake. These choices aim to make Disney’s stories more inclusive, reflecting a global audience. In a 2023 interview with Variety, Disney Animation’s chief creative officer, Jennifer Lee, emphasized the need for “stories that resonate with today’s audiences,” highlighting strong, independent heroines and diverse representation.
Tangled (2010) already marked a shift in this direction. Unlike earlier princesses, Rapunzel, voiced by Mandy Moore, is a proactive, witty character who drives her own story, wielding a frying pan as a weapon and negotiating with the thief Flynn Rider. The film’s success—grossing $591 million globally—proved audiences were ready for a modern take on fairy tales. A live-action remake offers Disney a chance to push this further, potentially reimagining Rapunzel’s story to reflect contemporary values. A Black Rapunzel, for instance, could challenge beauty standards, much like Bailey’s Ariel inspired young Black girls whose emotional reactions to the Little Mermaid trailer went viral.
The Casting Controversy: A Familiar Pattern The rumor about Amewudah-Rivers as Rapunzel echoes the backlash faced by other actresses of color in Disney projects. When Halle Bailey was cast as Ariel, the #NotMyAriel hashtag trended, with critics arguing her dreadlocks and skin color didn’t match the animated character. Similarly, Rachel Zegler’s Snow White casting drew ire, with detractors citing her Latina heritage as a departure from the “fairest of them all.” Avantika Vandanapu faced racist comments in 2024 when fans speculated about her as Rapunzel, with one TikToker stating, “A brown girl with long black hair is NOT Rapunzel.” These reactions reveal a persistent resistance to diverse casting, often cloaked in arguments about “fidelity to the source material.”
Amewudah-Rivers’ experience as Juliet offers a sobering parallel. The racist abuse she endured prompted the Jamie Lloyd Company to condemn the “barrage of deplorable racial abuse” online. A petition to protect her garnered over 7,800 signatures, and actresses like Rachel Zegler publicly defended her, with Zegler stating, “I’ve never seen such heinous things said about a person.” The Tangled rumor, though false, likely draws from this context, misattributing Amewudah-Rivers’ name to a project already fraught with casting debates. It highlights the challenges Black actresses face in high-profile roles, where their talent is often overshadowed by scrutiny of their appearance.
Hair, Race, and Representation A recurring theme in these controversies is hair, a deeply personal and cultural aspect of identity for Black women. Rapunzel’s long, magical blonde hair is central to her story, making it a focal point for casting debates. Critics of diverse casting often fixate on physical differences, as seen with Bailey’s dreadlocks or the hypothetical casting of Amewudah-Rivers. These arguments ignore the flexibility of fiction—Rapunzel’s hair could be reimagined with wigs, CGI, or creative styling to suit any actress while preserving the character’s essence. South Asian hair, for example, is globally prized for its strength, as noted in a Vogue India article, making actresses like Vandanapu a natural fit. A Black Rapunzel could similarly redefine beauty standards, showcasing the versatility and power of Black hair.
The focus on hair also reflects systemic issues in Hollywood. Black actresses frequently face mistreatment on sets, from stylists untrained in handling textured hair to pressure to conform to Eurocentric ideals. Meagan Good, for instance, recounted a hairstylist burning her forehead while straightening her hair, a common experience for Black performers. Disney’s live-action remakes must address these challenges by hiring culturally competent stylists and embracing authentic representations of diverse hair types. Bailey’s Ariel, with her dreadlocks, was a step forward, proving that iconic characters can evolve without losing their magic.
Disney’s Track Record and Future Challenges Disney’s efforts to diversify its princesses have had mixed results. While The Little Mermaid was a commercial success, grossing over $500 million, it faced racist backlash that Disney was slow to address. The Snow White remake, starring Zegler, has drawn criticism for altering the original story, leading Disney to pause the Tangled project in April 2025, according to Fact Crescendo. This hesitation reflects the studio’s struggle to balance innovation with fan expectations. As a Harvard Crimson article argued, Disney should invest in original diverse stories to avoid the pitfalls of remaking Eurocentric classics, which often invite backlash.
A Tangled remake featuring a Black or minority actress could be a bold move, but it would require Disney to proactively combat online hate. The studio’s history of casting stars like Mena Massoud as Aladdin alongside Will Smith, or Bailey with Melissa McCarthy, shows a strategy of balancing newcomers with established names. If Amewudah-Rivers or another actress of color were cast, Disney would need to support them with robust PR and a commitment to authentic storytelling, perhaps emphasizing Rapunzel’s agency and resilience over her appearance.
The Power of Representation The emotional impact of diverse casting cannot be overstated. Bailey’s Ariel inspired countless young Black girls, with viral videos showing children reacting with joy to seeing a princess who looked like them. A Black Rapunzel could have a similar effect, challenging the notion that only white, blonde women can embody fairy-tale heroines. Amewudah-Rivers, with her proven talent and resilience, would be a compelling choice, though her casting remains speculative. Her work in Romeo and Juliet demonstrated her ability to bring depth to iconic roles, and her musical background—she’s a classical and jazz pianist—could suit Tangled’s musical elements, like the song “I See the Light.”
Disney’s modernization efforts also involve redefining what makes a princess. Rapunzel, unlike earlier heroines, is independent and resourceful, a trait that aligns with modern feminist ideals. Casting a Black actress could amplify this, showcasing a heroine who defies both physical and societal constraints. As The New Yorker noted, Rapunzel is “a fairly capable young woman” with “a sharp wit and intelligent concerns,” qualities that transcend race.
Conclusion: A Legacy in Progress The rumor about Disney’s CEO defending Francesca Amewudah-Rivers as Rapunzel is likely a fabrication, but it underscores the real challenges and opportunities in Disney’s quest to modernize its princess legacy. While the Tangled project remains uncertain, the conversation around diverse casting is vital. Actresses like Amewudah-Rivers, Halle Bailey, and Avantika Vandanapu face undue scrutiny, yet their talent and resilience pave the way for a more inclusive Hollywood. A Black Rapunzel could redefine fairy tales for a new generation, proving that magic lies not in hair color but in the strength of the story. As Disney navigates this path, it must amplify diverse voices, challenge biases, and let its princesses shine in all their vibrant diversity.
