Lisa or Sydney Sweeney? Breaking Down Who Has a Better Shot at Playing Rapunzel

Published 10/27/2025, 10:02 AM EDT

From the moment Disney’s golden-haired dreamer first appeared, Rapunzel shimmered through animation history like sunlight on silk. She was never just a princess in a tower; she was freedom, curiosity, and rebellion woven in gold. Tangled redefined the fairy tale, glowing with wit, warmth, and wonder. And now, as whispers of a live-action retelling spread, one question floats through the air like a lantern: who will play Rapunzel?

Two stars, one golden crown. Could it be BLACKPINK’s Lisa with her ethereal charm, or Sydney Sweeney with her Hollywood glow, each ready to claim the braid of destiny?

The race for the tower: Lisa and Sydney Sweeney in Disney’s spotlight

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When it comes to casting Rapunzel, both Lisa and Sydney Sweeney bring wildly different magic to the table. Lisa’s ethereal charm, global influence, and natural warmth could reinvent the princess for a new generation. Sydney Sweeney, with her emotional range and cinematic grace, captures Rapunzel’s complexity and courage effortlessly. Lisa embodies wonder; Sweeney channels depth. If Disney wants a radiant fairytale with global reach, Lisa fits the crown. But for emotional storytelling and proven power, Sweeney holds the key to the tower.

In April 2025, reports revealed that Disney had halted development on the live-action Tangled after the disappointing box-office results of Snow White. However, by October 2025, the project found new life following the unexpected success of Lilo & Stitch. Rumors now swirl that Scarlett Johansson may step into the role of the captivating and manipulative Mother Gothel. And as excitement grows around the film’s revival, it was one viral tweet that sparked the rumors linking Sydney Sweeney and Lisa to the golden-haired princess.

Freya Allan Strengthens Her Case For Disney's Live-Action Rapunzel with This Single Singing Video

While Disney remains silent for now, new buzz suggested that Tangled is closer than ever to finding its shining lead, with Lisa and Sydney Sweeney emerging as the top contenders.

Casting magic in motion: Tangled could soon find its Rapunzel

According to entertainment scooper @MyTimeToShineH, who shared the update on X, an actress from The White Lotus has reportedly emerged as the frontrunner to play Rapunzel in Disney’s live-action Tangled. The insider wrote, “I hear that an actress from The White Lotus is the frontrunner to play Rapunzel in Tangled.” The cryptic post instantly sparked widespread speculation, with fans and media outlets racing to guess which of the show’s standout stars could claim the iconic role.

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Following that reveal, speculation also deepened when Gigi Hadid, in an interview with Vogue, shared that she had auditioned for the role of Rapunzel in Disney’s live-action Tangled. Encouraged by her boyfriend Bradley Cooper, she explored acting and even took singing lessons to prepare for the part. Though she expressed pride in her audition, Tangled, the dream project for Freya Allan, leaves Lisa, Sydney Sweeney, Gigi Hadid, and others tangled in a golden web of casting confusion.

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Who do you think fits better as Rapunzel, Sydney Sweeney or Lisa? Let us know in the comments below.

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Yusra Miraj Khan

1123 articles

Yusra Miraj Khan is an Entertainment Journalist at Netflix Junkie. Specializing in Taylor Swift and the British Royal Family, she transforms modern mythologies into high-ranking, reader-first narratives. Since joining in early 2025, Khan has penned over 500 articles, known for their sharp decoding of Easter eggs and PR silences.

Edited By: Hriddhi Maitra

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