Indian-American actress Avantika Vandanapu faces racist backlash amid rumours of her cast as Rapunzel
New York: In a disheartening turn of events, 19-year-old Indian-American actress Avantika Vandanapu renowned for her role in "Mean Girls” faces racist backlash amid the rumours suggesting that she has been casted as Rapunzel in an upcoming live-action adaptation of Disney's beloved film "Tangled."
Numerous TikTok users have taken to the platform to express their disappointment and even outrage over the potential casting choice.
"Me pretending the little girl in me isn't so upset by the live-action Rapunzel casting". Another user said she wanted to cancel Disney if Ms Vandanapu was cast as Rapunzel because she isn't of German descent.
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Amidst several reactions sparked by rumours of Avantika Vandanapu potentially playing Rapunzel in a live-action adaptation of "Tangled," parallels were drawn to past controversies, notably when Halle Bailey was cast as Ariel in "The Little Mermaid."
The resurgence of the hashtag #NotMyAriel on Twitter, echoing sentiments from Bailey's casting, served as a stark reminder of the fraught terrain of representation in Hollywood.
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Addressing the racist backlash she faced, Bailey courageously defended her casting, emphasizing the importance of diversity and representation on screen, particularly for the Black community. However, in the case of Avantika Vandanapu, there was no immediate response from the actress to the trolling she endured.
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Social media platforms became battlegrounds for these contrasting perspectives. One user passionately exclaimed, "Do you know the live-action 'Tangled' isn't even confirmed??? And even if it was, Avantika would be the best candidate for Rapunzel." Their fervor reflected a growing frustration with baseless rumours fuelling unwarranted.
- With inputs from agencies
